Karen Smith

Karen Peterson Smith, 83, of Butler, passed away on March 21, 2021, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

She was born Dec. 28, 1937, in Greensburg, and was the daughter of the late Nils Peterson and the late Mary Chislock Peterson.

Karen graduated from Greensburg High School, where she was a cheerleader and May Queen. Following graduation, she attended a business school in Pittsburgh.

Karen was a member of the Arthritis Group and the Butler Prayer Group.

She was a caring, selfless woman, who enjoyed being with her three children and nine grandchildren. Her favorite place to vacation with family was Stone Harbor, N.J.

She was an avid sports follower of Pirates baseball, Steelers football and the University of Pittsburgh basketball. Karen enjoyed attending sporting events and other school activities for her grandchildren. She had a deep love of sports.

Karen was very proud of her Swedish heritage, and had a favorite saying, “If you are lucky enough to be Swedish, then you are lucky enough.”

She was a pinnacle of her Catholic faith and a dedicated member of St. Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church.

Karen is survived by her husband, Joseph J. Smith, whom she married on Sept. 12, 1959; two sons, Mark (Jody) Smith of Alpharetta, Ga., and Robert (Lora) Smith of Cranberry Township; one daughter, Joan (Richard) Hetherington of Charlotte, N.C.; nine grandchildren, Kara Smith, Kylee Smith, Erik Smith, Matthew Smith, Michael Smith, Mark Smith, Luke Smith, Rebecca (Rodrigo) Rodriguez and Timothy (Victoria) Hetherington; a twin brother, Paul (Mona) Peterson of Ann Arbor, Mich.; one sister-in-law, Joela Peterson of Latrobe; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, William Peterson and Bernard Peterson; and one sister-in-law, Marilyn Peterson.

SMITH — Friends of Karen Peterson Smith, who died Sunday, March 21, 2021, will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., Butler.

Burial will take place in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., Butler, PA 16001.

Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.