Karen F. Wesson, of Porter, passed away Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005 at Porter Valparaiso Hospital Campus, Valparaiso. She was 61.

She was born June 23, 1944 in Jersey City, N.J., the daughter of Wilson H. Simms of Port St. Lucie, Fla. and the late Fern Kaltaler. She was also preceded in death by her stepmother, E. Louise Simms.

On Nov. 28, 2003 in Chesterton, she married Peter J. Wesson, who survives in Porter.

She is also survived by step-sons, Jason Wesson of Bloomington, Peter Wesson of Chesterton, Matthew (Alisa) Wesson of Janesville, Wis., Scott (Karen) Stacy of Otisville, N.Y. and Todd Stacy of Richmond, Va.; a daughter, Lynn Stacy of Wheaton, Ill. and canine companions, Beau and Dutch.

Karen was a teacher, primarily of 7th grade English at Morgan Twp. School. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. She also was a member of the American Association of University Women. She was a graduate of Woodridge High School in Woodridge, N.J. and a graduate of Fairleigh-Dickenson College, N.J. She received her master’s degree from Valparaiso University with highest honors.

She was a member of Dive Quest Scuba Club and was an advanced scuba diver with over 150 dives. She was a member of the beginning experience team. She was the coach of the Spell Bowl Team at Morgan Twp. Schools. She also coached Morgan Twp. Academic Team to State Champions. Karen enjoyed scuba, kayaking, biking and was an accomplished writer and had been published. She loved the outdoors and was a big animal lover.

A Mass of Christian Burial, Fr. James Meade officiating, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton. Cremation will be at Heritage Crematory, Portage.

Visitation will be from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, with a Wake service at 7:30 p.m. at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.

Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Koman Cancer Foundation.

Posted 12/27/2005