Karen Haberland

Karen Ann Haberland (née Genzler) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona, after a long and courageous battle with dementia. She was 82 years old. Born on October 1, 1943, in Illinois, Karen made her home in Fountain Hills, Arizona beginning in the late 1980s. A proud registered nurse, devoted wife, and loving mother, she dedicated her life to caring for others both personally and professionally. Early in her marriage, Karen and her husband, Paul, opened their hearts and home as foster parents to many children, offering warmth, stability, and love to those who needed it most. Karen is survived by her sisters, Jean and Judy; and her beloved children, Justin and Roxanne, both of whom she lovingly adopted through Catholic Charities. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Haberland, the love of her life. Known for her gentle heart and quick wit, Karen found joy in life’s simple pleasures, a good gyro, breakfast made by her husband, and a perfectly buttered noodle. She often joked that cooking wasn’t her strong suit, but her warmth and humor more than made up for any overdone pork chop. In her later years, she could often be found happily playing Snood on the computer, somehow managing to collect more computer viruses than her daughter could keep up with fixing, a memory that continues to bring laughter to those who loved her. Even on her last visit with her daughter, Karen was still cracking jokes at her daughter’s expense, proving that her humor and spirit never wavered. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.