Karen Ann Mainz

1956 - 2025

Karen Ann Mainz
May 15, 1956 - November 8, 2025
Karen Ann Mainz was the most amazing woman to ever walk this earth. Sadly, her journey ended on November 8, 2025, at the age of 69. She was born on the morning of May 15, 1956, and was the fourth child of Ollie and Ann Brehm. Karen and her siblings (Larry, Gene and Alene) were raised in a household of loving parents. She was raised in a 1920-vintage farmhouse built by her grandparents, Ollie and Lillie Noll Brehm. It was located just southeast of San Antonio, "In the Country." Her unique childhood experiences included helping the family operate a 400-hen egg farm, cleaning a dance hall, setting up pins at a bowling alley, and chasing cows out of pastures.
She was educated at Holy Name Elementary School, where she was a premier pitcher for the Holy Name CYO softball team. She graduated from St. Gerard's High School in 1974 and obtained a Fashion Merchandise degree from the University of the Incarnate Word in 1978.
For twenty years, her dad managed a social club, where she met her future husband, Jerry Mainz. They married on July 19, 1980, and built a home on family property close to the households of her parents and siblings.
In 1981, Karen's mother and sister bought property off Loop 410 and opened 410 Printing Center. In 1982, Karen joined the business.
The "Office" was where she and Alene raised their children, grandchildren and it was the center for many Brehm/Mainz activities.
Karen and Jerry were blessed with two daughters, Jenna and Lisa. Her daughters were the joy of her life, and her joys increased with Jenna's marriage to Eric Ruhd in 2012 and Lisa's marriage to Austin Kramr in 2016. Karen's most important role was being a grandmother to her five grandchildren: Luke, Piper, Ollie, Owen and Olsen.
Karen was the "social coordinator" of the extended Brehm Family. She loved to host Christmas, the Good Friday fish fry, children's birthday parties, and any other excuse for a party at the Mainz' home. She enjoyed spending time with her family, taking trips to their property in Rocksprings, and going on gambling getaways with Jerry. She had a passion for fitness, was a ringer at nine-pin bowling, and most importantly loved running the "Office".
We will remember her as a loving, kind, generous, selfless, and beautiful soul. Her spirit will continue to live on with everyone she loved.
She is survived by her husband (Jerry), daughters (Jenna & Lisa), sons-in-law (Eric & Austin) and grandchildren (Luke, Piper, Ollie, Owen & Olsen). Surviving siblings are Larry (Deborah) Brehm, Gene (Vicki) Brehm and brother-in-law, Ken Waneck. In-laws Billy (Mary) Mainz, Bernice Jarzombek, Charlene Mainz, and James (Barbara) Mainz, plus nieces and nephews, their spouses, and their children.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 14, 2025 at St. Jerome Catholic Church (7955 Real Rd. San Antonio, Texas 78263) 5pm to 9pm. A rosary will be recited that evening at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, November 15, 2025 at St. Jerome Catholic Church at 10am with burial to follow at MeadowLawn Memorial Park. To leave a note for the family, visit www.meadowlawn.net and select Obituaries.