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Karl Keener Obituary

Karl was born in Galion, Ohio. The family moved to Michigan and later to Arizona where he graduated from Glendale Union High School. He received his degree in Pharmacy from the University of Arizona in 1965. His first job as a pharmacist was in Los Angeles, but he soon moved to Fresno working in pharmacies at St. Agnes, Von's, WalMart, and Campus Pharmacy at Valley Children's. Karl acquired five acres, often referred to as his "ranch", complete with broken down farmhouse and stables for raising Appaloosas, which he did for a number of years. The farmhouse was replaced with a beautiful home. Karl's love of animals never ceased and tho' the Appaloosas were gone, there was always a dog , or cat, sometimes many cats around. In 1992, he met Leanne Gulbranson when they both worked for Von's. Their first date on Valentine's Day, their second a family wedding, and they've been a couple and together ever since. They loved to travel, particularly cruising, to the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii, Tahiti and South America. Karl collected Beanie Babies and had virtually every different one. On the Alaska cruise he bought many new ones and their cabin steward had great fun rearranging them for bed each night. Karl loved gardening, a passion he got from his father. And like him, his vegetable garden was planted with far more than he and Leanne needed just so he could give it away. His multi-hued irises blanketed the property, becoming his signature flower. Friends and family often received beautiful bouquets. Karl loved sports, especially the Arizona Wildcats, on TV, or even better live. He celebrated being there to see The University of Texas Longhorns win the 2005 National Football Championship. A generous donor, Karl gave to a wide variety of organizations. Karl found great joy in giving. At his last job at Central Valley Children's Hospital, it gave him great satisfaction to help the kids. It was not uncommon for a young patient to be given one of his Beanie Babies. His regulars would often ask "Is Karl here today?", if they didn't see him. They, like we, will miss him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Carrie Keener; and brother, Max. He is survived by Leanne and her sisters, Sharron Timmings and Lenore Stork; and brother, Warren Mohrhusen, all of Fresno; as well as Karl's sisters, Marty Rinze of San Diego, Ca., and Kim Scofield and her husband, Bill Little and family of Austin, Tx., as well as numerous nieces and nephews. NEPTUNE SOCIETY of Central California 1154 West Shaw Avenue Fresno, Ca. (559)222-7764

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Published by Fresno Bee on Mar. 14, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Karl Keener

Sponsored by Kim Keener Scofield.

17 Entries

Deborah Woods

July 13, 2024

I loved Karl. Karl was a dear friend to me. I had the pleasure and honor to work in a pharmacy as a technician with Karl. Karl was the kindest human being I have ever known. He was patient with children and their families when they came by the pharmacy to pick up medications and he treated everyone respectfully. Karl often paid for children's medications when their parents could not afford their children's medications. No one expected Karl to do any of this but he did it out of the kindness and compassion of his heart.
Karl would take time to explain to the children and their parents how the medication should be taken and how it would help their children feel better. He did this with everyone blessed to have him give them a consultation when they came by the pharmacy. Karl had a wonderful sense of humor. The sound of his laughter could fill an entire room. His eyes would sparkle when he was happy. His eyes sparking is not a metaphor, at times his eyes would sparkle.
Karl took great joy in sharing his fondness for beanie babies with us and the patients when he'd give us all a beanie baby. He was extremely attentive and if you liked something he would remember it. I remember one day, I mentioned to someone in the pharmacy I loved bunny rabbits. The next day he brought us all a beanie baby from his collection.
He gave me a bunny rabbit. Her name is Buttercream. Buttercream is about twenty years old. I witnessed Karl spend a great deal of time serving/ministering to others with his God-given wisdom and talent in pharmacology, as a pharmacist which included years of hard work and his dedication to the field.
Karl was often the smartest person in every room he entered, but he never let on. Karl was a humble man with tremendous wisdom. One of the greatest lessons I learned from Karl was his example of being the kindest person in any room he entered. He taught me that an intelligent person is a kind person.
On many occasions, in the pharmacy, I watched and listened as physicians would call him on the phone to ask for his expertise on which medications to include or omit in cultivating the best paths of treatment and recovery for our tiniest of patients in the hospital. Karl was always willing to help anyone who needed him. Even when exhausted he would still make himself available in many ways to help others in the pharmacy or hospital.
Karl gave us his best. I know firsthand many lives were touched and made better because of their encounter with him.
I miss my friend Karl dearly with each passing day. I know I will miss Karl for as long as I live. But I am also eternally grateful to the Lord that I got to spend time and moments with such an incredible, humble, compassionate man who loved all people with the love of Christ.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends. We have all suffered a tremendous loss.

I will never forget you Karl, Rest in Eternal Peace, my dear friend. With each passing year, this never gets easier. Missing you eternally, my friend.

Deborah Woods

Jordan Woolard (Christy)

March 8, 2022

Its been another year. The other day while taking a walk Jordan talked(signed) about you. He said (signed) how he always liked us visiting with you at the pharmacy counter (Valley Childrens) he knew you loved your job by the way you interacted with the kids that came to know you. Enjoy eternity just know we sure could have used more caring people like yourself.

Christy Karch

March 8, 2021

Another year, my how things have changed. Jordan is well as are we..this year has been something for you to miss. Keep your spirit with those you love ..they truly need it.

Upul Guna

December 2, 2020

In 1980's I used to attend Fresno State, and work for St. Agnes on evenings. My routine started from doing the floors at the Pharmacy Karl was working. He kept talking to me while I was cleaning and buffing the floor. My Machine used to bump in to the shelfs and jolt his stuff. He would say "Hey I need some work done in my house take a wall down and and extend the living room". You should come and help me with that.
When I had classes that run in to my work schedule he supported my by letting me skip those days. I moved to LA area and visited him later when I visited Fresno. He was very happy to see me and about me getting through college.

Christy Karch

March 8, 2020

Hope you are running with our other angels. Jordan is doing great as he aged out of Childrens Hsptl you would be amazed. Take care and watch over those who loved you , you were an amazing person!

CHRISTY KARCH

April 7, 2009

KARL WAS THE BEST PERSON, MY SON JORDAN AND I MET HIM AT THE CAMPUS PHARMACY. HE ALWAYS HAD A BIG GRIN AND HAPPY PERSONALITY. WE LAST SAW HIM JUST BEFORE THE PHARMACY CHANGED TO WALGREENS SINCE WE LIVE SO FAR AWAY WE ONLY SAW HIM AT APPT TIMES. JORDAN WAS ALWAYS SO EXCITED TO SEE HIM, HE ALWAYS GOT A HUG AND HANDSHAKE AND A STUFFED BEANIE FROM TIME TO TIME(WE THINK HE HAD A STASH IN HIS DRAWER). WE WERE SO GLAD THAT HE BOUNCED BACK FROM HIS ILLNESS LAST YEAR AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN SO QUICKLY. IM SURE, ALL HIS KIDS AGREE THAT HE WILL BE MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN(ALL HIS KIDS BEING THE 100'S HE HELPED AT CVCH). I TELL MY SON HES GOT AN ANGEL WATCHIN OVER HIM AND TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT HE GOT TO MEET SUCH A SPECIAL MAN. WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU KARL...HUGS AND A HANDSHAKE YOURS TRULY,
JORDAN AND CHRISTY AND BABY ELI

Kathy Kerwin

April 6, 2009

I remember working with Karl at the Glendale Pharmacy, in Glendale, Arizona, when he was about 16 years old. He was a sweetheart even then. We did not keep in touch, and that sounds like it was my loss. My prayers for his family.

Kim Keener Scofield

March 22, 2009

Karl was my big brother, a person I dearly loved. He was also the Pharmacist in the family, so my first contact whenever I had a new drug I needed to know about. As kids we were the best of friends, cohorts, and leaned on each other for advice about life. He would also tell me when I was being too "I Centered". And this carried on into adulthood. We had a bond that clearly was special. He created similar connections with others because of his care, concern and desire to help in the healing process. The Children's Hospital Campus Pharmacy was truly "his life". His practical jokes, his smile, his quirky grin, are memories forever in my mind. I will miss him as long as I live.

tara price

March 20, 2009

karl was a special,kind hearted person. my son,Ethan and I, saw him monthly and sometimes daily at the campus pharmacy. NO matter how busy he was or if there was a line out the door, he would stop and help us and never let us leave without holding our hands and saying something nice. never let us leave without a friendly smile,kind words ,beanie doll...and the last thing was a purple ink pen,lol. :)
karl will truely be missed by those who knew him and will always be remembered by us.
karl was truely an angel on earth and now in heaven...forever watching over us!
god bless!
tara and ethan perez

gloria martinez

March 19, 2009

karl was a very special person to me, I've worked with him in Walmart. I will greatly miss his soft voice and his caring heart.

Gloria Martinez

March 17, 2009

Karl We will miss your smile and the way you would turn red if anyone told a dirty joke. We will miss your kind words and your tender heart towards the children that visited the pharmacy on a daily basis. We will miss the way you mentored the young people around you...... Karl, we will just miss you. Thank you for allowing us to share in your life!!!

Kathy Scharton

March 16, 2009

Karl had a great sense of humor which he shared freely. I saw him on Friday afternoon on the 6th and he told me he was going to change jobs - he was going to work at Walmart as a "greeter"!! We laughed..I will miss his wit and humor and we will all miss him.

Jerry

March 16, 2009

Karl was a 'one in a million' man. He loved the children at Children's Hospital. He made it his crusade. On my day for my interview to work at Campus Pharmacy, Karl greeted me, I needed an ink pen, (everybody knows about Karl's pens) he searched to make sure I had a nice new one. That was Karl. The interview went great, I got hired. Karl helped me tremendously with learning a new job, to that I thank him Dearly! Karl you will be greatly missed.
GOD BLESS!

Michelle Cabral

March 16, 2009

Karl was extremely nice to everyone he came into contact with at Children's Hospital. I work in the cafe and Karl was always very nice to me and my staff. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May God comfort you during this time.

Nichole Rorebeck

March 15, 2009

I used to work with Karl in the campus pharmacy at Children's hospital about 6 years ago. I can still remember the sunshine he brought to work with him...it was a pleasure to work with him and i was very upset to hear the news. He will be very missed. The memories i have with him are wonderful ones. He was the sweetest man ever, he never had a negative thing to say and he always made me smile. I offer my depest condolences to his family and friends, he was a great person and i think he was special to many people and he has a place in everyones hearts he met. God Bless

March 14, 2009

Karl was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He always kept an eye on my kids medicines and would make sure that my middle one who has asthma was doing ok. He would always check with my son to make sure he was feeling ok. Every time we would walk in to the pharmacy to pick up our medicine, Karl would stop what he was doing and take the time to talk to my kids about sports, school and just stuff. He was always happy to see them and always greeted them by name.He was 1 in a million and he had a heart of gold. My heart is in a million pieces today as I think of having to walk into the pharmacy and not see Karl's huge smile greeting me and my kids. Karl Keener you will be greatly missed!! Thank you for brighting our day and our lives with your awesome spirit!!!

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