Karen Hauskey's Obituary
Karen Hauskey: Celebration and Legacy
Clearly equipped and called on by God to be a joy-filled, others-focused, compassionate person here on earth, God welcomed Karen Hauskey home on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at the age of 65.
In her full, rich life, Karen’s caring ways likely touched thousands of lives directly – and many more indirectly – including as a nurse and nurse manager, lover of her family and extended family, church-and-faith devotee, volleyball enthusiast, event planner, friend, co-worker, and so much more.
She was born Karen Wielgos in Oak Park, Illinois in 1961, and grew up mostly in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The Eastern European heritage and upbringing from her father, Ed, and mother, Marlene, helped her develop her values of warmth, integrity, compassion, and servant-heartedness. Karen was also athletic from the get-go, playing volleyball, basketball, and softball in high school, and even more volleyball in college.
A whole-brain thinker, Karen merged her compassionate side with her science smarts, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Lewis University in Lockport, Illinois. She quickly got her Registered Nurse license, and her 40+ year nursing career was off and running.
At the same time, she melted Jim’s heart, and they were married in 1983. Soon to follow were the children of which she was so proud: Son, Thomas Hauskey (Mallory), and daughter, Jennifer Hauskey-Weston (Tyler).
The family lived in the Chicago suburbs before moving to Northwest Arkansas in 1993. In all her homes, Karen created endless joy and family memories, from themed, costumed birthday parties for the kids, to seasonal decorating binges, to hilarious game nights with friends (and ample refreshments) well into the evenings.
The Hauskey’s were not always in the house, though. Karen and Jim relished supporting Tom and Jenn in their own passions as well, which mostly turned into baseball for Tom, who eventually played for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and volleyball for Jenn, who eventually played for Mississippi State and the University of Central Arkansas. Many gameday and weekend travels ensued.
Karen’s compassion and leadership skills came out clearly in her nursing career, which included roles at Good Shepherd Hospital (Barrington, Illinois) and in Northwest Arkansas at Northwest Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, HealthSouth Rehab, Northwest Arkansas Surgery Center, and McDonald Eye Associates. One of her deepest joys was seeing families re-unite with each other after one of them was in her care.
Karen adored Jesus and grew even closer to Him later in life. She loved prayer, going to (and always singing joyfully at) Sunday Masses, helping with church events, being president of the St. Raphael Women’s Council, sharing in small groups, and becoming a Spiritual Director in the Catholic Church at age 58.
Karen also cherished her extended family: On the Wielgos side, her older sister Donna Galuszka (Rick), who preceded her in death, her brother Russ (Stephanie), her younger sister Cheryl Sutton (Paul Valenziano), and her nieces and nephews, including Dan Galuszka (Ali), Alex Galuszka (Jen), Chris Galuszka (Evelyn), Connor Wielgos, Calista Wielgos, Brandon Sutton, and Lauren Sutton. On the Hauskey side, nephew Rob Cullen (Carlyn) and niece Jacki Reidel (Ben). And of course, her grandchildren: Theo & Merritt Hauskey (for whom Karen would always bake oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and banana bread) and Peyton & Pierce Weston (who loved laying on Karen’s chest as she wore her soft, pink, “Mimi” hoodie).
Karen’s funeral Mass will be at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale, Arkansas on Friday, May 29 at 3:30pm, with a reception afterward. Also planned is a “Celebration of Life” on Saturday, May 30 from 4:00-9:00pm at the home of Julie & Rich Ezell (3209 Wildcat Creek Blvd., Fayetteville, Arkansas). All are welcome, young and old, to come anytime and stay for food, refreshments, music, community, and memories of Karen.
One of Karen’s love languages was gifts. So, if you feel led to donate in Karen’s name, please do so to St. Raphael Catholic Church, where Karen was a faithful member (here is a link to that donation page: https://www.wesharegiving.org/App/Form/c1fb7b23-5f1b-4740-b6b5-b3b78750601d , or please donate in her name to any of your favorite charities as a wonderful way to honor her joy-filled, pay-it-forward life.
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Share a story where Karen's kindness touched your heart.
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