Karen Altenthal

Karen Sue Altenthal, 64, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, at her home after a two-year battle with ALS.

She was born June 20, 1958, in Cape Girardeau to John J. and Dorothy S. Ladd East. She and Brad Altenthal were married June 4, 1977, at Cape Girardeau.

Karen was a 1976 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. She received a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1994.

She taught family and consumer science at Notre Dame High School for five years and Cape Girardeau Central High School for 20 years. She loved teaching and rarely met a former student who didn't tell her she was their favorite teacher.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson and formerly St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cape Girardeau for many years.

Karen loved being at the beach with her grandchildren, being near the water in the warm sun.

Survivors include her husband, Brad Altenthal of Jackson; son, Lance (Taylor Fuwell) Altenthal of Jackson; two daughters, Jennifer (Billy) Thompson of Jackson and Melissa Winkler of Cape Girardeau; three brothers, John J. (Debbie) East of Jackson, Rick (Becky) East of Cape Girardeau and Stephen (Becky) East of St. Charles, Missouri; two sisters, Barbara Glueck of Kelso, Missouri, and Mary (Keith) Boeller of Cape Girardeau; sister-in-law, Pam East of Cape Girardeau; and eight grandchildren, Emma, Aiden, Brynn and Tate Winkler, Collin and Chase Havill and Nash Thompson and Parker Altenthal.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, William "Bill", Roger and David East.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, with parish prayers at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Rick Jones officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to The ALS Association, St. Louis Regional Chapter.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.