Karen S. Sessamen

She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Luther and Florence (Miller) Dell. On July 11, 1963, she married Richard E. Sessamen in Winchester, Md. He preceded her July 22, 2021.

She is survived by four children: Steven K. (Sherry) Sessamen of Fredricksburg, Va., Ronald A. (Kathy) Sessamen of Saint John, New Brunswick, Richard S. (Annie) Sessamen of Spruce Creek and Kimberly S. (William) Wiser of Tyrone; seven grandchildren: Steven II and Megan Sessamen, Dustin, Ryan and Brittany

Sessamen and Simon and Sarah Wilson; 12 great-grandchildren: Tristan Sessamen, Dustin Merryman, Landon, Connor, Owen, Levi, Aiden, Mackenzie and Layla Sessamen, Willow and Gemma Goss and Evalynne Wilson; and four siblings: Ronald and William Dell, Jackie Fowler and Barbara Bush.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Terry Dell.

Karen was a 1961 graduate of Altoona High School and attended trade school to be a stewardess. She worked as a seamstress at Big Yank, as a waitress and a childcare provider. She also worked at Marianna’s. She was a member and deaconess at the Presbyterian Church in Tyrone and she also attended Halfmoon Christian Fellowship. She helped with the 4-H club, Fresh Air Kids, the Girl Scouts and, in the late ’80s and early ’90s, was heavily involved with the Tyrone Majorettes and color guard, often doing hair for all of the girls.

She enjoyed puzzles, word searches, listening to classic country western music, attending fairs, her stuffed animals and Bingo. She enjoyed spending time with family more than anything, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

An 11 a.m. funeral service for Karen S. Sessamen will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc., Pastor Vince Eilenberger officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as well as on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be made at the Bald Eagle Cemetery following the funeral service.

Contributions in Karen’s memory may be made to the Central PA Humane Society or Second Chance Strays.

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