Karen S. Springer, 67, of West Lafayette passed away peacefully on Thursday May 18, 2023 after suffering an aneurysm and stroke in early March. Karen was intelligent, reserved, steadfast, caring, and funny, but most of all, she was humble. She cared deeply about and was active in the West Lafayette and Lafayette communities.

Karen was born on September 5, 1955 in Centerville, Ohio to the late Dee Bernard Jr. and Dorothy (Pagenkopf) Springer. Karen completed her B.S. in Home Economics Education from Miami University (Ohio) and her Ph.D. in Textile Science from Purdue University. While getting her Ph.D., Karen met her future husband, the late Dr. Jon Fricker, at the 1980 Indiana Carroll County Hog Jog running race. They were married on April 3, 1982 in Lafayette, participated in almost every Hog Jog race together, and were able to celebrate 40 years of marriage before Jon passed last summer.

Karen was an aerobics dance instructor with Jacki Sorensen's Aerobics Dance Program for over 40 years and owned her own franchise. Additionally, for more than 10 years, Karen worked with students through the Disability Resource Center at Purdue University, helping them take notes for their courses and acting as a scribe for exams.

Karen was extremely proud of her 31 years of service to the West Lafayette Community School Corporation (WLCSC). She served 24 years on the WLCSC School Board, with 4 years as president and 11 years as vice president, and was awarded the Indiana School Board Association's School Board Member of the Year for 2022. She was also extremely involved in the “Music Boosters” program for the WLCSC for more than 20 years; she prepared goody bags for performers before the ISSMA music contests, sold carnations before each concert and musical, and organized the Ice Cream Social each June. Karen was also a volunteer choreographer and assistant producer for Mr. Valentine’s elementary school musicals for 13 years and the Charleston & Cotillion Dance choreographer for the 5th grade “Along the Heritage Trail” musical production for several years. Further, Karen served 20 years on the West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Board and was president for many years. Karen was also a long-time member of the Global Fest Organizing Committee where she oversaw event vendors and helped organize the associated Naturalization ceremony. Karen's volunteering only increased after her retirement from her work at Purdue. She volunteered at the Tippecanoe County Public Library and with “Read to Succeed” programs at the West Lafayette Elementary and Oakland Elementary schools. She also spent time at Food Finders Food Bank in Lafayette, working at the food pantry and teaching cooking classes; Karen's efforts were recognized with the designation of “Co-Volunteer of the Month” in March 2018. Karen also loved to sew, a hobby she began when she was a child and continued all her life. She sewed for herself, her children, and her grandchildren, as well as for her community. She sewed and donated over 1000 cloth face masks during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, created hundreds of heart pillows for heart surgery patients at Franciscan Hospital in Lafayette, and sewed costumes for musicals of all levels in the WLCSC.

Karen is survived by her son Douglas (Diane) and grandsons Trent and Emmett of Philadelphia, PA and daughter Laurel of Ann Arbor, MI. Also surviving are twin brother Robert of Centerville, OH and brother Ronald (Terry) of Morristown, NJ along with one niece, one nephew, two great-nieces and three great-nephews.

A memorial gathering for Karen will take place on Monday, June 5, 2023 at Hippensteel Funeral Home in Lafayette with a visitation from 4-6 p.m. and service at 6 p.m. If you are comfortable speaking, we ask that you bring a story to share of how Karen touched you and/or the West Lafayette and Lafayette communities.

Memorial contributions may be made to the “Dr. Jon Fricker and Dr. Karen Springer Endowment” (“West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation,” 1130 N. Salisbury St., West Lafayette, IN 47906) or to “West Lafayette Music Boosters” (West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School, 1105 N. Grant St., West Lafayette, IN 47906). Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com