Karen ScheibeKnoxville, TNKaren Scheibe, age 73, of Knoxville, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 28th after an extended illness. Karen was born on August 7, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Luke and Helen Welch. She graduated from Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois. While at Willowbrook, she met and began dating the love of her life, John Scheibe. They were married on August 24, 1963. Two years later, Karen and John moved to east Tennessee where they built their life together. She was a devoted mother and homemaker while her daughters were growing up. Karen loved camping and boating with her family and friends. When her daughters went to college, Karen started a business with John called Southern Lamp and Shade, located first in Fountain City and later in the Ten Mile Center in West Knoxville. They worked side by side for over 20 years and developed many long-lasting friendships. Karen also loved traveling throughout the United States and Canada. Some of her favorite places were Alaska, which she visited 6 times and first began her love of puffins, Oregon, where she met Keiko the whale, and Maine's Acadia National Park and its famous popovers. Karen always had a pet to love and nurture. This relationship started with a 3-legged Dachs-Beagle, named Frisky, and culminated with a Shih-Tsu named Valentine. Recently, she found a new group of close friends at a Ft. Sanders water aerobics class where keeping up with current events was as important as the exercise itself. Karen battled kidney failure for many years, which led to permanent dialysis. Although several hospitalizations ensued, she always fought back to return to her friends and family. She was an incredibly strong woman who courageously coped with life and health issues and maintained a positive attitude and zest for life. Karen leaves her husband, John; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kimberly Scheibe Greene and Ted, of Birmingham, Alabama, and Tracy Scheibe Leighton and Brian, of Bedford, Virginia; and two granddaughters, Cassady and Kendall Greene. Karen also leaves her sister, Marilyn Bethke, and brother, Dan Welch, both of the Chicago area.The family will host a reception on Saturday, January 7, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Click Funeral Home, Milestone Events Center, 11909 Kingston Pike, Farragut, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Young-Williams Animal Village, 6400 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel, 11915 Kingston Pike, is serving the Scheibe family. www.clickfh.com.