Karen Matzen

Matzen, Karen Marie passed away peacefully, at age of 85 on Thursday June 19 at the Mt.Washington Care Center, which had been her home for 16 months. Karen and her cousin, Hildegarde, were both adopted at early ages in the late 20's by two sisters (nurses) who operated a small Lutheran Hospital in Columbus, Nebraska. They followed the long tradition of the family of nurses by also becoming nurses. Following Karen's graduation from University of So.CA in 1952, she became a member of the US Navy Nurse Corps. Her most treasured assignment was serving aboard the Hospital Ship, Consolation. Their mission was caring for the servicemen who had been wounded in Korea, transferring them to the Navy Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. She finished her service as a Naval Lt.Commander. She was accepted into the UC Medical College and brought her mother to Cincinnati in 1957. Her mother's illness and her own failing eyesight forced her to abandon her plans and she was employed at Longview State Hospital where she served a 3 year assignment in research of psychotropic medications, then became the Director of Nursing for a 400 employee group for 12 years. Final years served as Dept. head for Quality Assurance Program. She was a faithful \"Rosie Red\" supporter of the Cincinnati Reds. At her death, she was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she assisted in office recordkeeping. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mamie Matzen, her aunt Emma Matzen, her friend Beverly MacDonald and her dear caregiver, Susan Garcia. She is survived by her cousin, Hildegarde and Arthur Schwab, of Ft.Wayne, IN, many nieces and nephews, friends Pastor Harold and Ruth Oliver, Wayne and Bobbe Hinaman, Sister Mildred Radziewicz, Amy Johns, Connie Bollinger, friends at Asbury Woods Retirement Villa and many nursing friends from her classes and from her Navy years. Graveside services will be held with Rev. Gary Miller officiating, on Monday, June 23, at 10:00 A.M. at the Crown Hill Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 11825 Pippin Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 1175 Birney Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio. 45230. Many thanks to her faithful Dr. Robert Osborne and staff, Dr. Lawrence Heppner and staff, the staff of Mt.Washington Care Center and T.P.White Funeral Directors.