Obituaries

Karen Palutis Zenker, age 49, a lifelong resident of West Scranton, died Wednesday under the care of Commonwealth Hospice at Regional Hospital of Scranton after a courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband, Carl Zenker, Sr. Celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, the couple were married on on November 5, 1994.
Born on November 26, 1965, daughter of Richard and Audrey Sinclair Palutis of Scranton, Karen graduated from West Scranton High School, Class of 1983, before attending Penn State University, where she had remained an active member of the PSU Alumni Association. She had helped operate her family’s business, Keyser Valley Deli, for many years before its closure. Most recently, she served as a Teacher’s Para Professional in the Scranton School District. Of Roman Catholic faith, she was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Parish. Her favorite pastime came in family vacations to Aruba and Walt Disney World.
An adoring mother of her two sons, Carl, Jr., and Adam, she had also been a member of their school’s P.T.A. She also leaves behind her sister and best friend, Sharon, and her godson, Jim , whom she considered her third son. Although her life ended too soon, her selfless legacy of caring for others will be carried on with her family and friends forever.
Aside from her husband and her parents, she is survived by sons, Carl Zenker, Jr., and Adam Zenker; her sister, Sharon Sagona and husband James, all of Scranton; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Saturday at 9:15AM from the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton, with a 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick’s Church, 1403 Jackson Street in Scranton, to be celebrated by Rev. Martin Boylan, Pastor. Interment will follow in the Cathedral Cemetery. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00PM at the funeral home.