Obituary of Karen Marie Werner

Karen Marie Werner, 71, of Plains Township, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and dedicated elementary teacher passed peacefully into heaven on Friday, May 5, 2023, while in the comfort of her home. Born in Wilkes-Barre on May 8, 1951, she was the daughter of Frank and Josephine Serafin Jagodinski of the Hudson section of Plains Township. Karen was raised by her parents in Hudson where she attended Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School and was a graduate of the Plains Memorial High School, class of 1969. She continued her education at Bloomsburg University where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Karen was employed as an elementary teacher by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District in 1973. She began her career teaching fourth grade at Bear Creek Elementary, followed by third grade at Solomon Plains Elementary. She was a dedicated and passionate teacher, and she formed many close bonds with her students and coworkers. She retired in 2010. Karen had a heart of gold and always put others first. Her family was everything to her. Her greatest accomplishment was being a mother and a grandmother. For fun, she loved to travel, go for walks, read books, do her nightly crossword puzzles, tutor students, and visit the casino. Karen was a parishioner of Saints Peter and Paul Church, Plains Township, and it was her devoted faith that guided her through this life. She has arrived at the gates of heaven and was greeted by her parents Josephine and retired Sheriff Frank Jagodinski. Surviving are her daughters Tara Yamelski (Gerald III), Shavertown, and Samantha Javier (Anthony), Auburn Hills, MI; grandchildren Kinsley and Lacey Yamelski, Shavertown; and Sara Jo and Ava Javier, Auburn Hills, MI; sister Barbara Oliveri (Carmen), Plains Twp.; niece Tracey Dlugosh (Jeff), Plains; nephew Ryan Oliveri (Yan Yan), Manhattan, NY; great nieces and nephews Collin and Camryn Dlugosh, Plains; and Ryan Martin Oliveri, Manhattan, NY; stepson Jeff Werner(Elaina), Paoli, PA; step daughter Lisa Lotterman (Brad), Aliso Viejo, CA; step grandchildren Mitch and Danielle Werner, Paoli; and Haley and Andrew Lotterman, Aliso Viejo; and her grand dogs Bentley, Chance, and Noche. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation and Mass of Christian Burial to be held on Friday, May 12, 2023, at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains Twp. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the start of Mass at 10:00 a.m. Mass will be officiated by Rev. John Lambert, Pastor. In lieu of flowers, Karen's wishes were for memorial donations to be given to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. or St. Joseph Center,2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA, 18509. Arrangements for Karen’s service have been placed in the care of the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., Plains Twp.