Karen Rene Shafer Chacon

March 14, 1949-April 14, 2011

ELIZABETH, Colorado -- Karen Rene Shafer Chacon passed away on April 14, 2011, at her home in Elizabeth with her family and friends.

She was born March 14, 1949, in McCook, Nebraska. Her parents were Kenneth and Doris (Gathman) Shafer. Karen graduated from Hayes County High School in Hayes Center, Nebraska in 1967. She graduated from Kearney State College in Kearney, Nebraska in 1971. She received her MBA with an emphasis in Human Resources/Organizational Development from Regis University-Denver in 1993.

She married Tom Chacon on Feb. 23, 1980.

Karen's professional career included several executive positions in both operations and organizational development. Companies she worked for included Omni Bank, FDIC/RTC, Qwest TSA and Forest Oil. She started working in a bank at First National Bank/AmFirst Bank of Hayes Center, Nebraska.

She was a member of the UCC Hayes Center, American Legion Auxiliary Hayes Center, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, Order of Eastern Star, UCC Hilltop and Society of Human Resource Management.

Karen enjoyed being a part of her four nephews' family activities and the many friendships she developed over the years. She loved flowers and enjoyed traveling throughout the country with her husband, family and friends. She also enjoyed attending many different sporting events as well as viewing them on TV.

She is survived by her husband, Tom Chacon of Elizabeth; sister, Rita Erickson (Allen) of Hayes Center; sister-in-law, Jackie Tack (Keith) of Pueblo,Colorado; nephews, Jeff Erickson (Kelly) of Wallace, Nebraska, Jay Erickson (Jill) of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jeremy Erickson of Hayes Center, Craig Tack of Pueblo; two great-nieces, Aston and Karlie; three great-nephews, Jack, Jace and Grady; and a host of family and friends.

Services were Monday, April 18, 2011. Internment was at the Fort Logan National Cemetery.

Memorials have been established to Hayes Center UCC or American Legion Auxiliary of Hayes Center.