Karen Jane Barritt

Karen Jane Barritt, affectionately known as Grandma Karen and Gma K, age 75, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on August, 6th 2026.

Born December 30, 1950, in Omaha, Karen grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, before making Omaha her home for most of her adult life. She was the daughter of Mervin and LaVon Schwager and sister to Paul Schwager and Karol McAtee.

Karen lived a life defined not by grand gestures, but by the countless little ways she loved and cared for the people around her. She was deeply devoted to her family, her faith, and her community, and she had a remarkable ability to make people feel loved, welcomed, and cared for. For Karen, everyone else seemed to come before herself.

Karen began her career as an office manager in a dental practice, but when her daughter, Jennifer, started school, she found a new calling that would touch the lives of countless children. She opened her own in-home daycare, where she cared for generations of children who would eventually grow into successful, contributing adults. Karen was immensely proud of each of them and remained grateful for the opportunity to be part of their lives.

Her greatest joy, however, was her family. She was a devoted mother to Jennifer Lynn Shannon and a loving grandmother to Lyndsay "Lyn" Anderson, Haley Vetick, and Dennis Shannon V. She was also a proud grandmother to her great-grandson, Barritt Michael. She treasured her nephews Adam Barritt, Andy, and Troy McAtee, and took great pride in watching the people she loved grow, learn, and build lives of their own.

Karen found happiness in the simple things. She loved playing cards with close friends, getting lost in a good book, spending time with family, and chauffeuring her grandchildren from school to practices, activities, and wherever else they needed to go. She wasn't exactly known for being in a hurry-Karen avoided the interstate whenever possible and could rarely be persuaded to drive much faster than 35 miles per hour. Those who knew her will smile at the thought.

She had a wonderfully dry sense of humor and an appreciation for the silly little things in life. One of the things her family will remember most was her ability to laugh hysterically at the simplest, silliest jokes. Her laughter was contagious, and her joy could fill a room.

Karen also had a special way of bringing people together. She loved her neighbors and became close with many of them. At Halloween, she would set up a campfire where neighbors and families could gather, eat hot dogs and chili, make s'mores, and enjoy the evening together while she handed out candy. At Easter, she would delight the neighborhood children by dressing up in a bunny costume. These weren't simply activities to Karen-they were opportunities to create memories, make people feel welcome, and bring a little more joy into the world.

Above all else, Karen loved the Lord with all her heart. Her Christian faith was not simply something she believed; it was something she lived. She loved Bible study, loved telling stories from Scripture, and turned to her faith in both good times and difficult ones. Her familiar words of encouragement were simple: "Just pray about it."

Karen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry Lynn Barritt, her parents Mervin "Dutch", mother LaVon "Pat" and sister Karol.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Lynn Shannon; son-in-law, Dennis Shannon IV; grandchildren, Lyndsay "Lyn" Anderson, Haley Vetick "Hay", and Dennis Shannon V "5"; great-grandson, Barritt Michael; her brother and sister in law, Barry & Carol Barritt, nephews Adam, Andy, and Troy, her brother, Paul as well as countless former daycare children, neighbors, friends, and loved ones whose lives she touched.

Karen would not want those who loved her to spend their days mourning her. She would want them to celebrate her life-and to recognize the blessing of the lives they are still living. She would want us to laugh at the silly things, spend time with the people we love, help those who need us, hold onto our faith, and never take an ordinary day for granted.

Her life was a life of peace, love, faith, and giving. She gave more than she ever asked for in return, and she made the world around her warmer simply by being in it.

So, in Karen's memory, pray about it. Laugh a little harder. Love a little more. Gather around the campfire. Make the s'mores. And live every day to the fullest.

Karen will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

Karen's Celebration of Life Open House:

Sunday, September 20th from 4p-7p
La Casa Pizzeria West at Pacific Springs
610 S 168th St.
Omaha, NE 68118

There are 3 simple requests that were part of Karen's wishes:
1. Do NOT wear black. Bright, vibrant colors only please.
2. Have a heart full of love and appreciation.
3. Come with any funny, heartwarming or personal stories or pictures of Karen to share.