Karen Muldoon, age 69, of Oshkosh passed away on April 3, 2024, at Regional West Hospital in Scottsbluff, following a brief illness.
A Celebration of Life honoring Karen will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, 11:00 a.m. MST, at Lewellen Community Wesleyan Church, Lewellen, NE, with Reverend Bruce Neal officiating.
Services will be streamed live and available to watch later on the Holechek-Bondegard Facebook page (https:/www.facebook.com/hbfunerals).
Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home and Cremations in Oshkosh is serving the family.
Donations in Karen’s name can be made to Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home to help with the cremation costs.
She was born on November 21, 1954, in Denver, Colorado to James Kenneth Harvey and Jean Elaine Cheney Harvey. She joined big sister, Susan, and welcomed little sister, Carol Jean.
She grew up in Denver and attended George Washington High School, University of Colorado at Boulder, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and obtained her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix.
She was married to Bryan Muldoon in 1975 at St. James Catholic Church in Denver. To this union identical twin boys Brendan and Patrick were born in 1979. The couple raised their boys in and around the Denver/Englewood area and were later divorced.
Karen taught school for Englewood Public Schools, in Colorado for 28 years, with her emphasis on kindergarten. At one point she taught 3rd grade, but her passion was with those kids who were just starting out. She adored teaching school and made her classrooms fabulous, home-like environments that so many preschoolers longed to be in. She even organized a Thanksgiving celebration one year which included the entire school and became a lasting tradition.
She fulfilled her dream of becoming a children’s author when she wrote and published two books, Alphabet Family Wedding and Small p Goes to Paris. Also a talented artist, Karen did the illustrations for the Small p book.
In 2005 she went to live in an extended family situation with her sister, Carol Jean and her tribe. 8 people lived together in a large house in southeast Aurora, Colorado. Many wonderful times were had celebrating holidays, birthdays, daily life, and other occasions.
Karen retired in 2016, and in 2021, she moved to Oshkosh, Nebraska, to enjoy “the good life” with her sister, brother-in-law, and other Cheney family members. Having a flair for decorating, she turned her basement apartment into an adorable sanctuary for herself and cat friend, Ringtail.
Karen is survived by her son, Brendan Muldoon and wife, Claudia, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA. her sister Carol Jean (CJ) Dunhill and brother-in-law, Allen Dunhill of Oshkosh, NE. Daughter in law, Rhiannon Fox Muldoon of Upland, CA. Granddaughter, Elaine Muldoon of Lebanon, PA. Nephew, Anthony Dunhill of Aurora, CO. Niece and family, Scarlett, Jason, and Aidan Cosentino of Aurora CO. Grand-niece Crystal Cosentino and long time boyfriend, Logan Evans of Aurora, CO. She also leaves behind a very special cat friend, Ringtail, and many other relatives.
She was preceded in death by both parents, her son Patrick Muldoon of Upland, CA. Her sister, Susan Harvey Chidley, of Denver, CO. Her former husband, Bryan Muldoon of Tulem, Mexico, all grandparents, and a host of other family members.
