Karen Sue Mezger, 69, of Table Rock, Nebraska was born on February 9, 1951, in Nebraska City, Nebraska to Carl A. and Alice A. (Crow) Schneider. She attended kindergarten through 7th grade in Peru and then attended 8th-12th grade in Auburn graduating from Auburn High School with the class of 1969.  On May 13, 1972, Karen was united in marriage to Richard Barry Mezger at the United Methodist Church in Auburn, Nebraska.  To this union four children, David, Thomas, Matthew and Katherine were born.  The couple began their marriage living in Omaha before moving to Carlstadt, New Jersey.  They lived there for two years before moving back to Table Rock, Nebraska in 1974 where they have resided since.  Karen began her teaching career as a Home Economics teacher for Dawson-Verdon public schools until 1979.  She took a break from teaching full-time to raise her children from 1979-1995 and returned to Dawson-Verdon school as a guidance counselor in 1998.  Karen would later transfer to HTRS public schools in 2004 where she was the guidance counselor until retiring in 2020.  Karen lost her hard-fought battle with cancer and went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital in Pawnee City, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of 69 years, 10 months and 7 days.  She is preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Ernest and Alice Mezger and sister-in-law Janet Schneider.

Karen leaves to mourn her loving husband Richard Mezger of Table Rock, children: Dave Mezger and wife Andrea of Table Rock, Tom Mezger and wife Leah of Omaha, Matt Mezger and wife Julie of Lincoln, Katie Dietz and husband Stephen of Lincoln, grandchildren: Preston, Collin and Emery Mezger of Table Rock, Alex, Malcom and Ziggy Mezger of Omaha, Hudson and Harper Mezger of Lincoln, Kaitlyn, Sawyer and Kinsley Dietz of Lincoln, brothers: Gary Schneider and wife MaryEllen of Canby, OR; Leland Schneider of Andover, NH; Dennis Schneider and wife Sandy of Henniker, NH; John Schneider and wife Lynn of Holyoke, CO; brothers-in-law: Ernest Mezger Jr. and wife Kathy of Waretown, NJ; James Mezger and wife Kathy of Upper Chichester, PA; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and too many friends to count.

A Celebration of Karen’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at the United Methodist Church in Table Rock, Nebraska with Pastor Dorothy Smith officiating.  Masks and social distancing will be required throughout services for those attending.  A live radio broadcast will be available on FM station 88.7 for those attending and wish to listen to the service from their vehicles.  A live-streamed video broadcast will be available on the Wherry Mortuary/Monument Facebook for those unable to attend in person.

Following services, the Celebration of Karen’s Life will continue with a “Drive Through Memory Lane” that will begin at church and process through a 45-minute journey past Karen’s favorite spots of Southeast Nebraska.

Visitation is open to public and will be held from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2020, at The Tiger Pride Activity Center (Old Table Rock School), 608 6th Street in Table Rock, Nebraska with family greeting friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m.  Masks and social distancing will be required and those attending will be asked to enter the school through the Main Entrance on the east side of the building.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Karen Mezger Student Supplies Fund and all contributions including backpacks, coats, gloves, shoes and school supplies can be dropped off at ALL State Bank of Table Rock Locations.  Monetary donations can all be mailed to the State Bank of Table Rock, 402 Houston Street or P.O. Box D, Table Rock, Nebraska 68447

Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha ST-Humboldt, Nebraska 68376 (402) 862-2915