Karen Lee Bierschenk

Queens, New York - A life well-traveled, Karen Lee Bierschenk began her greatest adventure on August 14 after a long, brave struggle with cancer. To the end, she was filled with gifts of the spirit: faith, hope and love.

Born January 31, 1952 in Champaign, IL, Karen was one of four daughters. Her father's work as a geohydrologist took them all over the U.S. and overseas. The family moved to Tehran in 1959 where she graduated from high school in 1970. While living in Tehran, summers were spent exploring Europe and Africa which gave Karen her love of travel an adventure.

After graduating from Virginia Tech as a paralegal, Karen began a long career at JFK airport with US Customs and Border Patrol until retiring. She loved everything about New York City: her neighborhood bodegas, restaurants, Broadway shows, and the enduring friendships she made. The family is most grateful for Karen's friends, who were there for her throughout her illness.

After retiring, she traveled with family and friends, all over the world: Patagonia, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, China, Mongolia, Morocco, Croatia, and Machu Picchu, making other lifelong friends.

Karen had three nephews in a niece who were like her own. She adored them, never missing a birthday, graduation, wedding or holiday - any cause to celebrate them and later, their children.

Karen is remembered by her mother, Marjorie Bierschenk, Kennewick; sisters, Nancy (Noel) Kerr, Richland, Wendy Bierschenk, Olympia, and Ellen (Martin) Bierschenk, Warrenton, VA; nephews and their families, Ryan (Sarah) Kerr, Brush Prairie, WA, Aryn (Rosanna), West Richland, and Luke (Aijan) Schwenke, McLean, VA; and niece Marjory (Duncan) Bierschenk, Raleigh, NC. Her father, William H. Bierschenk, preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests memorials to your local hospice or animal shelters or to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation in NYC.