Karen Sue Powell, 81 of Ogallala, passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Grand Island Regional Medical Center. Karen Ronneker, born March 12, 1945, was the youngest daughter born to Lester and Barbara (Ziegenhagen) Ronneker in Ogallala. She was raised through 6th grade in Ogallala and attended the Lutheran School. Their family moved to Grant, where she graduated from Perkins County High School in 1963.
On July 26, 1964, Karen married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Powell at Zion Lutheran Church in Grant. They moved to Imperial shortly after their wedding and two children were blessed to their union: Timothy and Tricia. They raised their family in Imperial, where Karen was a supportive, loving wife and mother. In 1989, they moved to Ogallala, and she found great friendships to play golf and bridge. In January 2024, she moved to Grand Island to be closer to family but always missed Ogallala and western Nebraska.
She loved gardening, canning, needlework, golfing and playing bridge. She had a knack for decorating and loved having her home decorated for each holiday. She enjoyed working for Sauer Jewelry for many years in downtown Ogallala.
She was particularly proud of her grandkids, who lovingly called her Nanny. She loved going to their activities and was blessed to have traveled to watch them golf in college. She loved her Huskers sports and Denver Broncos.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Ogallala and enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels.
She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Marge Hein, and husband, Dennis, who passed away in 2014.
Those left to cherish Nanny are: son, Tim Powell and his wife Rolanda of Kenesaw, NE, daughter, Tricia Kubik and husband Mark of Aurora, NE, granddaughter, Kaylee Reinsch and husband Michael and their daughters, Olivia and Harper of Aurora, NE, grandson, Alex Kubik and wife Caitlyn of Omaha, NE, step-grandson, Richard Rennick and wife Emma and their children, Harley, Kynnedy, Madysen, and Anthony of Nelson, NE, sister, Kathy Mick and husband Doug of Hastings, NE, and sister-in-law, Phyllis Hettinger of Castle Rock, CO.
Memorial Services will be Friday, July 10, 2026 at 10:30 am in the United Methodist Church with Rev. Kim Andrews officiating. A memorial has been established to the United Methodist Church. Private interment will be held at a later date. Services will be live streamed from www.drauckerfh.com and methodistchurchogallala.com Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com
Draucker Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.