Karin R. Walsh

Karin Walsh, 64, of Shelton, NE, died Saturday, July 15, 2017 at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, NE. A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 20, 2017, at the Shelton United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Wednesday evening at the church. Rev. Markey Gray will officiate. The family requests casual attire and bright colors at the service. Memorials may be directed to the Shelton Volunteer Fire Dept., Shelton Historical Society, or the Kearney Area Foundation Scholarship Fund.



Karin Rae Gangwish Walsh was born February 21, 1953 in Kearney, Nebraska to her parents, Dwight and Lois Gangwish. Karin was the oldest of three children and spent her childhood with her two brothers, Brad and Vaughn, while growing up in Shelton, Nebraska. From a young age she utilized her creativity and masterful skill as a seamstress to create her own clothing. While spending time with her Grandma Dingess from West Virginia, she developed a love for quilting that would eventually become one of her greatest talents and personal treasures. In high school she most enjoyed playing the card game Pitch and spending time with her closest friends. She graduated from Shelton High School in 1971.

After graduation she attended Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri during which time she met Frank Bush whom she married. They went on to settle in Lincoln, Nebraska before having their son, Jacob J.D. Dwight Gangwish, in 1980. J.D. and Karin would develop a cherished and enduring relationship. Karin worked at Service Master while pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She quickly progressed to management positions at Service Master and Janitors Closet before opening her own cleaning business. After student teaching in Lincoln, she worked at Junior Achievement then she and J.D. moved back to Shelton in 1992 to take a position at First State Bank.

After returning to Shelton, Karin met Dave Walsh, originally of Spalding, Nebraska. They married and joined their families on June 23, 1994. Karin dearly loved the three daughters she gained from their marriage, Amanda, Tara and Cassandra. Dave and Karin enjoyed 23 years of marriage together raising their families, spoiling their grandchildren, riding their Harley Davidsons, and sitting on their back porch watching the sunset. In 2011, Karin retired from First State Bank after 19 years.

Retirement brought Karin the gift of time for what she most treasured. When she wasnt hibernating in Bob Bobs (coined by her granddaughter Carrie and assumed by the rest) quilting room, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Whether attending quilting retreats with her friends, making sure that the wagon was packed for ball games, or locking Christmas presents in impossible puzzle boxes, she always made sure those she loved felt cared for. Karin was a true artist with fabric. Rarely did she show up without a tiny gift she had created using her beautiful skills.

Karin was who she was and true to herself at all times. She was strong willed, even stubborn, and persevered through many struggles. This also contributed to her strength of character and one of her greatest gifts, that of genuine care and concern for those she loved. Karin welcomed all to her home unconditionally, providing a safe place for family and friends (even while grumpy). As a daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend, she touched the lives of many through her silent generosity, even in ways that many never knew.

Karin passed away on July 15, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dwight and Lois Gangwish, and her brother, Brad Gangwish. She is survived by husband Dave Walsh; her son J.D. Gangwish; her stepdaughters Amanda Scarrow (Travis), Tara Fortune (Sean) both of Kearney, Nebraska and Cassandra Daniels (Phil) of Denver, Colorado; her brother Vaughn Gangwish (Kelly); sister-in-law Crystal Gangwish, four nephews and 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.