Karen A. Werkmeister
Karen Ann Werkmeister, age 71, of Cambridge, NE passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Kearney Regional Hospital in Kearney, NE.
Karen was born on February 26, 1955, in Hays, KS to parents Eugene Miller, Sr and Celesta (Kuhn) Miller. She was one of three siblings.
Karen attended school in Bartley, NE, graduating with the Class of 1973.
On January 4, 1974, Karen married the love of her life, John Werkmeister in Cambridge, NE. The couple was blessed with a daughter, Stephanie.
Over the years, Karen actively supported her husband’s journey in small business and was also employed by Twin Valleys Public Power. In her free time, Karen faithfully attended FROGS, enjoyed cooking and baking, carefully attending to her sourdough starter, Frankie, riding Harley Davidson Motorcycles and cruising in her ’57 Chevy Pick Up, shooting guns, Friday night pizza, spending time with friends, and shopping for the perfect pair of shoes.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Miller, Sr. and Celesta Miller; and her stepmother, Mary Miller.
Those left to celebrate her life include her husband, John Werkmeister of Cambridge, NE; daughter, Stephanie Henderson and significant other, Scott Smrz of Mt. Calvary, WI; grandson, Traven Henderson of Kimberly, WI; brother, Eugene (Mary) Miller of Wichita, KS; and sister, Dorothy (Bruce) Brooks of Cambridge, NE.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if memorial contributions were made in Karen’s name to a charity of your choice. Contributions may be directed to Carpenter Breland, c/o the Werkmeister Family, PO Box 476, McCook, NE 69001.
Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 10:00am, prior to the Memorial Mass, on Friday, October 16, 2026, at St John the Baptist Church in Cambridge, NE with Father Ken Wehrs as Celebrant.
A Memorial Mass will begin at 10:30 am on Friday, October 16, 2026, at St. John Baptist Catholic Church in Cambridge, NE with Father Ken Wehrs as Celebrant. The family has requested casual attire for the service.
Burial of cremains will follow in the Bartley Cemetery, Bartley, NE.
Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, Monuments and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit our website at www. carpenterbreland.com to sign the online guestbook for the family.
