Karen Alta (Criggall) Spencer was born December 24, 1946 in Dayton, OH to Allan Sydney Criggall and Irene (Masters) Criggall. She grew up in Kettering, OH, graduating from Fairmont West High School. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Dayton in 1969.
On March 15, 1969 she married Myron Eugene "Gene" Retske in Dayton. Their son Leonard Eugene "Lenny" Retske was born June 17, 1971 while they were living in Puerto Rico and their son Myron Allan "Allan" Retske was born in 1973 in Florida. Karen and Gene divorced, each remarrying.
Karen completed her Masters in Educational Administration from Governors State University, University Park, IL, in 1991 while working full time at Chicago Heights School District 170. During her 18-year tenure at the school she worked as a teacher in grades 4 and 6, as a bilingual teacher, and as a principal. Moving back to Dayton area, she spent four years as the Director of Education at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, developing educational programs, then two years with the National Heritage Academies, developing the Pathway School of Discovery from the ground up.
Over the years Karen made many trips from Ohio to Indiana to see her sons and grandchildren. She was a bright, interesting person, always eager to learn something new. She was a loving, fun, hands-on grandmother, teaching her grandchildren a variety of unique crafts and skills. She loved animals of all kinds.
After her son Lenny passed away December 4, 2003, she decided to move back to Indiana to be closer to Allan and her grandchildren. She was the principal of the Morocco Elementary School, Morocco, IN for over 15 years. She passed away on June 23, 2018 in Highland, IN after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
In addition to her son Allan, Karen was survived by her five grandchildren: Alyssa, Zach, Logan, Ava, and Cade as well as an honorary grandchild, Lou Patrick, who Karen embraced fully as her own grandchild. Also, her brothers Brian and James Criggall, five nieces, and a nephew.
On March 15, 1969 she married Myron Eugene "Gene" Retske in Dayton. Their son Leonard Eugene "Lenny" Retske was born June 17, 1971 while they were living in Puerto Rico and their son Myron Allan "Allan" Retske was born in 1973 in Florida. Karen and Gene divorced, each remarrying.
Karen completed her Masters in Educational Administration from Governors State University, University Park, IL, in 1991 while working full time at Chicago Heights School District 170. During her 18-year tenure at the school she worked as a teacher in grades 4 and 6, as a bilingual teacher, and as a principal. Moving back to Dayton area, she spent four years as the Director of Education at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, developing educational programs, then two years with the National Heritage Academies, developing the Pathway School of Discovery from the ground up.
Over the years Karen made many trips from Ohio to Indiana to see her sons and grandchildren. She was a bright, interesting person, always eager to learn something new. She was a loving, fun, hands-on grandmother, teaching her grandchildren a variety of unique crafts and skills. She loved animals of all kinds.
After her son Lenny passed away December 4, 2003, she decided to move back to Indiana to be closer to Allan and her grandchildren. She was the principal of the Morocco Elementary School, Morocco, IN for over 15 years. She passed away on June 23, 2018 in Highland, IN after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
In addition to her son Allan, Karen was survived by her five grandchildren: Alyssa, Zach, Logan, Ava, and Cade as well as an honorary grandchild, Lou Patrick, who Karen embraced fully as her own grandchild. Also, her brothers Brian and James Criggall, five nieces, and a nephew.
Karen Alta (Criggall) Spencer was born December 24, 1946 in Dayton, OH to Allan Sydney Criggall and Irene (Masters) Criggall. She grew up in Kettering, OH, graduating from Fairmont West High School. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Dayton in 1969.
On March 15, 1969 she married Myron Eugene "Gene" Retske in Dayton. Their son Leonard Eugene "Lenny" Retske was born June 17, 1971 while they were living in Puerto Rico and their son Myron Allan "Allan" Retske was born in 1973 in Florida. Karen and Gene divorced, each remarrying.
Karen completed her Masters in Educational Administration from Governors State University, University Park, IL, in 1991 while working full time at Chicago Heights School District 170. During her 18-year tenure at the school she worked as a teacher in grades 4 and 6, as a bilingual teacher, and as a principal. Moving back to Dayton area, she spent four years as the Director of Education at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, developing educational programs, then two years with the National Heritage Academies, developing the Pathway School of Discovery from the ground up.
Over the years Karen made many trips from Ohio to Indiana to see her sons and grandchildren. She was a bright, interesting person, always eager to learn something new. She was a loving, fun, hands-on grandmother, teaching her grandchildren a variety of unique crafts and skills. She loved animals of all kinds.
After her son Lenny passed away December 4, 2003, she decided to move back to Indiana to be closer to Allan and her grandchildren. She was the principal of the Morocco Elementary School, Morocco, IN for over 15 years. She passed away on June 23, 2018 in Highland, IN after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
In addition to her son Allan, Karen was survived by her five grandchildren: Alyssa, Zach, Logan, Ava, and Cade as well as an honorary grandchild, Lou Patrick, who Karen embraced fully as her own grandchild. Also, her brothers Brian and James Criggall, five nieces, and a nephew.
On March 15, 1969 she married Myron Eugene "Gene" Retske in Dayton. Their son Leonard Eugene "Lenny" Retske was born June 17, 1971 while they were living in Puerto Rico and their son Myron Allan "Allan" Retske was born in 1973 in Florida. Karen and Gene divorced, each remarrying.
Karen completed her Masters in Educational Administration from Governors State University, University Park, IL, in 1991 while working full time at Chicago Heights School District 170. During her 18-year tenure at the school she worked as a teacher in grades 4 and 6, as a bilingual teacher, and as a principal. Moving back to Dayton area, she spent four years as the Director of Education at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, developing educational programs, then two years with the National Heritage Academies, developing the Pathway School of Discovery from the ground up.
Over the years Karen made many trips from Ohio to Indiana to see her sons and grandchildren. She was a bright, interesting person, always eager to learn something new. She was a loving, fun, hands-on grandmother, teaching her grandchildren a variety of unique crafts and skills. She loved animals of all kinds.
After her son Lenny passed away December 4, 2003, she decided to move back to Indiana to be closer to Allan and her grandchildren. She was the principal of the Morocco Elementary School, Morocco, IN for over 15 years. She passed away on June 23, 2018 in Highland, IN after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
In addition to her son Allan, Karen was survived by her five grandchildren: Alyssa, Zach, Logan, Ava, and Cade as well as an honorary grandchild, Lou Patrick, who Karen embraced fully as her own grandchild. Also, her brothers Brian and James Criggall, five nieces, and a nephew.
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