Karen (Slusher) (Olligschlager) Kleeberger

Karen (Slusher) (Oligschlager) Kleeberger, age 71, of Temperance, Michigan passed away on April 29, 2024 at hospice of Northwest Ohio, Flower Campus, in Sylvania, Ohio. Karen was born on April 15, 1953 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Gertrude and Konstantin Olligschlager.

Karen grew up in the Temperance area where she graduated from Bedford High School. She was employed at Champion Spark Plug and Corrugated Packaging. Karen was also a beloved bus driver for Bedford, befriending many of her students. She delivered the Toledo Blade for a time, and co-owned and operated a small business in the 1980s, specializing in punch needling.

Karen enjoyed trips around the country with her father into adulthood. They experienced hundreds of adventures together from camping to historical sites to vibrant cities. She was an avid animal rescuer and most days found her tending her myriad adoptees including a pet squirrel who showed up at the bathroom window every day to be fed. She enjoyed organizing reunions, and was often found baking or cooking German treats for family and friends. Christmas cakes were plentiful, and cookies were a specialty, with thousands being produced each season then handed out to loved ones.

In addition to her parents, Karen was preceded in death by a brother, Rainer (Kathleen), a beloved aunt Lisa (Karl) Kortgoede, and uncle Heinrich (Geri).

She is survived by her husband, John; two stepsons, Jeffrey and John Jr.; a brother, Hans (Anne); a biological daughter and her family; many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Karen's family.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 West Laskey Road, Toledo, Ohio 43623 on Monday, May 6, 2024 beginning at 10:00 a.m. A service will be held at 1:00 p.m. with interment to follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park in Toledo, Ohio.

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