Karen Housour
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Karen (Eberlein) Housour, age 64, passed away peacefully September 25, 2021 due to congestive heart failure, driven by the onset of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) a disease of the heart muscle.
Karen lost her battle to this disease but not for lack of trying. Her will to survive gave us all a new understanding of what resilience and perseverance truly look like. Karen was born on January 3rd, 1957, to Calvin and Caroline Eberlein in Brookings, South Dakota. She was the oldest of six children. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Mishawaka, Indiana, where her father took a position at Bendix as an Aerospace Engineer. Karen graduated from Penn High School, attended Ball State University, and earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from Indiana University. Karen spent most of her career at Holiday Rambler working as a financial manager in various areas of the organization. She had a passion for accounting and financial markets, retiring in 1996. Karen was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She especially loved her role as Grandma and treasured all her grandkids, embracing every moment with them. She had a vivacious personality and loved to be around people who made her laugh. Karen was never one for holding back her opinion and had a knack for telling it like it is. She loved to meet new people and made dear friends throughout all of her travels. Karen married Tony Housour in 1994. Tony showed her true love, and they enjoyed many adventures together before his sudden passing in 2006. Karen was able to spend her last several years with Roger Bowen by her side. Roger, along with his daughters (Ashley Bowen, Courtney (Brent) Everline), brought a new light, laughter and love into her life that helped through many difficult periods. Karen is survived by her by her son, Joel (Lee) Eberlein; daughter Tara Evans; Renee (Ken) ,Nisely, Rodney (Beth) Housour, Jason Housour, and Erica (Brooks) Egolf, along with her amazing grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Sandy Plummer and her husband Phil, Debra Becraft and her husband Joe, Ruth Brackmann, Doug Eberlein and his wife Jennifer; Karen's dear friend Denise (Teeter) Chew and many nieces and nephews. Karen was preceded in death by both of her parents, Caroline and Calvin Eberlein, her sister Kathy Eberlein, her husband Tony Housour, and her son Nathan Hixenbaugh. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Special Olympics in memory of her sister Kathy Eberlein. There will be a graveside service at Olive Cemetery in Elkhart on Friday October 1st, at 1pm. Followed by a celebration of life starting at 2pm at the Chicory Event Center in Mishawaka. Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Wakarusa.