Karen Kohler

Karen Kohler, 68, of Shelburne, died peacefully at University of Vermont Medical Center on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, after a year-long battle with cancer.  

Karen was born on March 9, 1955, in Boston to the late Raymond and Lillian Haskell. She graduated from Vestal High School, Vestal, N.Y., in 1973. She earned a degree as a medical office assistant from Broome Community College in Binghamton, N.Y. After several years working in that field, she went back to Broome Community and earned her degree as a registered nurse in 1979. She across various disciplines for over 43 years both in New York and Vermont, until she officially retired from University of Vermont Medical Center rehab unit in November 2021.

Anyone who met Karen over the years was attracted to her contagious smile, fun nature and her enthusiastic party-planner spirit for family and friends. She loved working in her gardens, enjoyed cooking and baking, was always willing to help and support her family and friends, and loved playing with and going on fun adventures with her grandchildren.  

She was dedicated to helping countless patients through their healing process and was devoted to her medical colleagues — nurses, doctors and management — and made many lifelong friends along the way.

In 1979, she married John Kohler at St. Vincent De Paul Blessed Sacrament Church in Vestal, N.Y. They were married for 44 years where they lived in Endwell, N.Y., until moving to Shelburne in 1993.  

She is survived by her husband John of Shelburne; daughter, Melissa Kohler of Waterbury; son, Ben Kohler, daughter-in-law, Helen, grandson, Alex and granddaughter, Ellie, of Auburndale, Mass; son, Jonathan and daughter-in-law, Kassie, grandson, Grant and granddaughter, Avery of , of Essex Junction; and her blocky headed English yellow Lab Jake.  

She is also survived by sisters, Deb Seaman and husband, Mike Seaman of New Tazewell, Tenn., Cindy Simone and husband, Dennis of Monroe, N.Y., and Lisa Distin and husband, Mike of Binghamton, N.Y.; sister-in-heart and lifetime friend, Joyce Oziemina and husband, Tom of Apalachin, N.Y; cousins, Josephine DeSalvatore and Lori Ingliss of the Boston area; niece, Jessica White and husband, Lt. Col. Mac White of Hampstead, N.C.; late nephew, David Seaman of Kentucky; and aunt. Linda Pantridge of Gulfport, Fla.

Karen was a longtime supporter of the Vermont Marine Corps League’s Toys for Kids program that collected and distributed new toys to needy children during the Christmas season.  

Without a doubt, Karen had a kind and gentle soul. She is in God’s caring hands now and one of his special angels, and her kind and loving spirit will look over her family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax-deductible donation in her name to Toys for Kids of Vermont, P.O. Box 4092, Burlington VT 05406 or go directly to toysforkidsvt.com and donate via PayPal.

A viewing will be held at Ready Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, from 5-7 p.m.

The funeral Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 72 Church St., Shelburne, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, from noon-1 p.m. After the interment ceremonies at the Shelburne Cemetery, the family asks that you join them for a small, informal reception in the church hall.

Arrangements are in care of the Ready Funeral and Cremation Services. To send online condolences please visit readyfuneral.com.