Obituary of Karen A. Sahler

Karen A. Sahler, long-time resident of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., passed away in her home surrounded by family on Monday September 12th, 2022; she was 62 years old. Karen, the daughter of the late Charles Petersen and Joan Gastel Petersen, was born on January 30th, 1960 in National Park, N.J. Karen was known by all for her smile and warm, loving nature. She was a devoted wife to her husband Bill, having just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. Bill was her best friend and together they raised a beautiful family. Karen's catch-phrase to her family members was always "I love you to pieces". Family meant the world to her and becoming a grandmother last year was something that she had always dreamed of and took great pride in. Karen was most known to the community as being part-owner, along with Toni Ehlers, of Little Buddies Preschool in Greenwood Lake, N.Y. which just celebrated their 25th graduation ceremony. Aside from being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, teaching was one of her greatest passions in life and brought her so much joy. Karen was dubbed "Mayor of Munchkinville" by her family as she could not go anywhere within the village without hearing someone calling out "Hi Ms. Karen!". Karen was also a former dispatcher for the Greenwood Lake Police Department, a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Greenwood Lake, N.Y. where she previously taught Sunday School, and was formerly an active part of the Greenwood Lake Soccer Club, Girl Scouts, and Girls Softball. Survivors include her husband William "Bill" Sahler of Greenwood Lake, N.Y.; daughter Courtney Sahler and her wife Paula of Albany, N.Y.; son William Sahler of Greenwood Lake, N.Y.; daughter Chelsea Conklin and her husband Michael of Greenwood Lake, N.Y.; mother Joan Petersen of Greenwood Lake, N.Y.; brother Thomas O'Brien of Greenwood Lake, N.Y.; grandchildren Ashlyn Sahler, Michael Conklin Jr., and Gatlin Sahler; and extended family Cathy, Jeff, and Jeffrey Hoffman of Monroe, N.Y. Additional survivors include all of her former Little Buddies students, whom she also considered extended family. She was predeceased by her sister Joanne O'Brien and her father Charles Petersen. Visitation hours will be held at the Strong Basile Funeral Home which is located at 4 Oak St. Greenwood Lake, N.Y. on Saturday September 17th, 2022 from 1-3pm and 6-8 pm, and on Sunday September 18th, 2022 from 12 noon-3pm. A Funeral Service will also take place at 1:30pm on Sunday September 18th, 2022 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Arrangements by Strong Basile Funeral Home 845-477-8240 or www.ocfuneralhomes.com.