Karen died peacefully in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Detroit, MI, to her parents Melvin and Lorna Peterson. From the age of 14 months, Karen's life was defined by asthma. She was limited in doing many daily activities. Karen spent 10 years in the Detroit area before her parents decided to move to the southwest to improve her quality of life. When her family settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she began to feel some relief and could start some outdoor activities she could never do before. Such as horseback riding.

Karen graduated from Sandia High School in 1962. After graduation she attended the University of New Mexico. Shortly after, she met the love of her life Robert Groebner. They would marry in 1967 and live 31 years in Albuquerque where they raised their two children, Eric and Jodie.

She loved to stay busy by volunteering in the community for such organizations as All Faiths Receiving Home, Annunciation Catholic School, La Cueva High School, and other various events. Although her focus was raising her children, Karen also worked for TWA and Southwest Airlines.

Some of Karen's biggest accomplishments were graduating from UNM Cum Laude with her BS in Elementary Education, raising her two children, and building a wonderful life with her husband of 58 years!

Karen will be missed for her kind, giving, empathetic and sympathetic, opinionated, humorous, authentic personality. She loved her family, friends, God, and Jesus.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Lorna Peterson; sister, Ann Peterson; and beloved son, Eric Groebner.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Groebner; daughter, Jodie Pierucci; son-in-law, Jerald Pierucci; grand daughters, Jayna and Joslyn, twin brother, Alan Peterson; sister-in-law, Cheryl Groebner; nieces, Paige Lewis (Jay), Carrie Staller (Kurt), and Lisa Mayhill (Ron).

In lieu of flowers, please donate to:

Health Well Foundation or any charity of your choice.

A Mass will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church on January 13, 2026 at 10:30am, followed by interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.