Karen J. Reiser

Karen J. Reiser, 91, of Saxonburg, passed away at Magnolia Place of Saxonburg.

Karen was born, January 9, 1935 in O'Hara Township to John D. Jessen and Laura Mae Helfrich Jessen.  

Karen graduated from Aspinwall High School in 1952. She went on to graduate from the Allegheny General Hospital School of Nursing in 1955. In her lifetime, she had been employed at Allegheny General Hospital, VNA Hospital in Aspinwall, and the St. John’s Lutheran Care Facility in Mars, PA. Since 1983 and until recently, Karen had been employed by the Visiting Nurse’s Association of Western PA. Karen was employed by the VNA as a hospice home care nurse. More recently, she worked for the VNA as a wellness clinic RN at Clearview Mall, The Arbors and the VFW in Saxonburg, PA. 

She was a member of Holy Sepulcher parish since 1974. She served as a minister of communion and founding member of the parish health ministry. Her faith and the church community were a great support for her. 

She was active in several Knoch High School booster groups including football and basketball. In 1991, she worked with a group of football boosters to establish the Knights Foundation with the goal of installing lights in Knoch’s stadium. Through hard work, donations and loans, the lights were established for the 1992 football season and continue to provide stadium lighting to this day.

She was an avid supporter of Knoch sports, Allegheny College football, and Thiel College football. She also supported all of her grandchildren in football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball. 

She was a member of the Penn Twp. Women’s Club. 

Karen loved dancing, sports, cooking, bird watching, and her dogs. 

Her greatest love was her husband, Jack, and her wonderful family. She and Jack were married in 1957 and together until Jack’s passing in 2005. Gathering everyone at home for birthdays, holidays, and any family function made her life complete. 

She is survived by her children: John "Tom" Reiser, Jr. (Marcy), Christian Reiser (Kristina), Jacqueline Reiser, Lauren McCune (David), Lynda Arai (Taro), Dana Byrnes (John), Kurt Reiser (Nancy), Nicholas Reiser (Jennifer).

Grandchildren: Zachary Reiser (Sarah), Nicole Reiser, Kyle Reiser (Emily), David McCune (Lynette), Elissa Geisler (Ethan), Megan Good (Eli), Hana Arai, Evan Arai, Emi Arai, Grace Byrnes, JP Byrnes, Skye Byrnes, Benjamin Reiser, Ethan Reiser, Ellie Reiser, Ashli Johnson,Veda Reiser, Cole Reiser, Jacksen Reiser, Bradyn Clark, Zachary Clark, Kealey Reiser, and Sydney Reiser.

She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, her two brothers, Clyde and Jack Jessen, her sister in law, Patricia Hook and her brother in law Melvin Hook. 

Friends will be received at the Fox Funeral Home, Inc. in Saxonburg on Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 2-6 pm.   Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10:30 am  at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish-Holy Sepulcher Church.

Memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice 3356 Babcock Blvd.  Pittsburgh, PA  15237 or a charity of the donor's choice. 

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