Karen M. Kruse Allen April 17, 1958 - April 14, 2016

Karen M. Kruse Allen, 57, devoted mother, wife, teacher, and friend, passed away on April 14, 2016 at the VCU Massey Cancer Center in Richmond, Virginia.

Karen was born in Williamsport, PA, on April 17, 1958 to Nancy Brown and moved to the Midwest as a child. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, where she was also a member of the Kappa Psi Omega Sorority. Karen earned her Masters Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University. Karen was a teacher for 34 years, serving the last 21 years at Kraft Elementary School in Hampton, Virginia where she taught Kindergarten.

Her colleagues and former students fondly remember "Krusee" as an amazing teacher - always laughing, always smiling, and always telling students that they were "so smart." She was so sweet to her kids, who all loved her very much.

She was also an active and faithful member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and had a strong faith in God that brought her great peace throughout life's trials, even the illness that took her life. "I have so much I want to tell you about," she wrote a few weeks ago. "God is truly amazing. I am starting to write down everything that I have experienced since my diagnosis. I am feeling so blessed. I know that is a very strange thing for someone in my situation to say, but that is exactly how I feel."

Karen leaves behind an army of friends who loved her endlessly. Even though it had been more than two decades since she had lived in Ohio, she made frequent trips "home" to catch up with former colleagues over lunch.

Karen never met a stranger and had a personality that was larger than life. Her smile could light up a room and she gave great hugs. Her infectious laugh could be heard from a mile away and will never be forgotten by those who were lucky enough to know her.

The family will receive friends from 4-6:00 PM Monday at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in downtown Hampton.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Tuesday at Emmanuel Episcopal Church by Rev. Rhonda Wheeler.

The family wishes expressions of sympathy to take the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society, 11835 Canon Blvd, Ste. A102, Newport News, VA 23606.