Karen L. Burkholder

Karen Lee (Fick) Burkholder, 39, of Fleetwood, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 6, 2011 at Reading Hospital.

She was the daughter of David P. Fick of Blandon, and Yvonne (Sweitzer) Kapelski of Temple.

Karen was a graduate of Exeter Senior High School, class of 1990 and Empire Beauty School as a certified nail technician.

She had been employed by Commonwealth Auto Tags as a title clerk, and previously worked at Laura's Head Turners as a nail technician.

Karen loved going to the beach and Disney World, horror movies, Harry Potter books and movies, and was an avid Philadelphia Flyers fan.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her step-father, Eugene Kapelski of Temple; a daughter, Mackenzie Elizabeth Burkholder; three sisters: Susan Smith and her fiancé Greg Yost of Robesonia, Denise Hebhardt and her companion Jim Zettlemoyer of Hamburg, and Stacey Younker and her husband Rodney of Leesport; nieces and nephews Crystal Mayer Brown, Derek, Dale, Alexis, and Jillian Hebhardt, Bo and Cody Younker, and Kaitlyn Smith; and her beloved pugs Fredo and Bandit.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at Blankenbiller Funeral Home, 423 Main St., Oley, with Rev. Merrill R. Marisseau officiating. The family will receive friends Monday, September 12, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home, and again one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mackenzie Elizabeth Burkholder College Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, 3050 N. 5th St. Highway, Reading, PA 19605.