Karen Peterson Smith, 83, of Butler, PA, passed away on March 21, 2021 at the UPMC Presbyterian.
She was born December 28, 1937 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania to the late Nils Peterson and the late Mary Chislock Peterson.
Karen graduated from Greensburg High School, where she was a cheerleader and May Queen. Following graduation, she attended a business school in Pittsburgh. Karen was a member of the Arthritis Group and the Butler Prayer Group. She was a caring selfless woman who enjoyed being with her three children and nine grandchildren. Her favorite place to vacation with family was Stone Harbor, NJ. She was an avid sports follower of Pirates Baseball, Steeler Football, and University of Pittsburgh Basketball. Karen enjoyed attending sporting events and other school activities of her grandchildren. She had a deep love of sports.
Karen was very proud of her Swedish heritage and had a favorite saying, “If you are lucky enough to be Swedish, then you are lucky enough.” She was a pinnacle of her catholic faith and a dedicated member of St. Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church.
Karen is survived by her husband, Joseph J. Smith, who she married on September 12, 1959; two sons, Mark (Jody) Smith of Alpharetta, GA, Robert (Lora) Smith of Cranberry Twp, PA; one daughter, Joan (Richard) Hetherington of Charlotte, NC; nine grandchildren, Kara Smith, Kylee Smith, Erik Smith, Matthew Smith, Michael Smith, Mark Smith, Luke Smith, Rebecca (Rodrigo) Rodriguez, Timothy (Victoria) Hetherington; a twin brother, Paul (Mona) Peterson of Ann Arbor, MI; one sister-in-law, Joela Peterson of Latrobe, PA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, William Peterson, and Bernard Peterson, and one sister-in-law, Marilyn Peterson.
Friends will be received Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Thompson – Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street Butler, PA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2021, 10:00 am at the St. Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Avenue Butler, PA.
Burial will take place in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the St Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave, Butler, PA 16001.
Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.