Obituary of Karen Anne Sands

Karen Anne Sands, 60 of Tunkhannock died Tuesday January 23rd from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident. She is survived by her husband of 13 years, Richard “Dick” Sands.

Born in Staten Island, New York on October 4, 1957, she was the daughter of the late Alford and Anne Seaman Jacobsen. She also was raised in Honesdale, PA.

Karen graduated from Honesdale High School class of 1975 and from Luzerne County Community College with a Nursing degree and recently became a Certified Surgical Technologist. She was employed by Wayne Memorial for many years, Wake Forest University, University of North Carolina, and Tyler Memorial and finally by Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital for 15 years. She was a member of the American Legion in Black Walnut, The Tunkhannock Lions Club, and the Nicholson United Methodist Church. 

She was proud of and loved her family. She always wanted a horse and at age 55 made that dream come true with Rio, her Paint. She loved Husky dogs and her most recent Husky, Holly, is now taking care of Richard. Karen loved her vacations to Hickory Creek Wilderness Ranch in Tidioute, PA with Dick, Butch and Josie, Jen and Jeremy along with their girls and various other friends. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday. She cooked for her boys, daughters-in-law, in-laws and their families.

She was preceded a brother, Al Jacobsen. 

She is survived by her sons, Stephen and wife Mary Brown of Pleasant Mount and Dan and wife Becky Brown of Honesdale, a nephew, Brian and wife Jessica Jacobsen of Salisbury, NC and several other nieces and nephews. She was special to Dick’s family: Butch and wife Josie Sands, their daughter Jen and husband Jeremy Daubert, their girls Emma and Lily, Ken “Tiny” and wife Kathy Sands, their daughters Rachel and husband Todd Boice, their son, Bryck, and Liz and husband Dave Carey, their son, Levi.

Karen was loved by everyone that met her and most of all devoted her life to her beloved Richard, her boys, their wives, her husband’s family and her cherished friends. Even though her life was cut short, her love will last forever. She will be missed by so many.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday January 28th at 3:00 PM from the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, Inc., 73 West Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA 18657. A gathering for friends will be held on Sunday from 12 Noon until time of the service. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Tunkhannock Lions Club, PO Box 523, Tunkhannock, PA 18657 or to Dessin Animal Shelter, 138 Miller Drive, Honesdale, PA 18431,  For directions and online condolences please visit www.sheldonkukuchka.com.