Karen Bahrenburg

Karen Brooks Bahrenburg, age 78, of Erie died on Thursday April 7, 2016 at home. She was born in Erie on Nov 3, 1937, the only child of the late Allene Skinner and Robert W. Brooks.

Karen attended Mercyhurst Prep for two years and graduated from Stoneleigh Burnham School in Greenfield, MA and Marjorie Webster Jr. College. She was a member of the Junior League of Erie and the Hamot Aid Society where she served in a volunteer capacity for over 40 years. Karen was all about her kids and their activities and was always there for them.

In addition to her parents preceding her in death, her mother’s side of the family goes back to Oliver Hazard Perry. Karen donated many of the artifacts from her connection to Commodore Perry to the City of Erie for the maritime museum.

She is survived by her four children, Donal Brooks Bahrenburg of Jacksonville, FL, Kerry Coleman of Denver, CO, Christopher Bahrenburg of Sarasota, FL and Douglas Barhenburg of Erie; her grandchildren Cassi and Kane Coleman, Jessica and Jayme Bahrenburg, Ashley Bahrenburg, Brittany Taranto, and one great grandchild Lacey. She is further survived by her ex-husband Donal B. Bahrenburg and a niece Mary Beth Brugger.

Friends are invited to call on the family at Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26th St. (at Powell Ave.) on Wednesday Apr. 13th from 2pm - 5pm. Private memorial service and burial at Erie Cemetery will occur at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Humane Society of Northwest PA, 2407 Zimmerly Rd., Erie, PA 16506 or Hamot Aid Society, C/O UPMC Hamot, 201 State St., Erie, PA 16550.