Karen M. (Laperle) Epler, 66, of Bern Township, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026. She was the loving wife of James A. Epler. Born in Reading, PA, Karen was the daughter of the late William J. and Ruth E. (Meyers) Laperle.

Karen was a 1977 graduate of Central Catholic High School. She graduated from Alvernia in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in business. Karen worked as a documentation specialist for many places, most recently for Empire Group of Reading, PA. 

She loved spending time outside picking strawberries and making fresh jam with her husband and walking in the neighborhood and on Grings Mill Trail. Picking up sticks for their backyard fireplace brought her great joy. Karen was very patriotic; she loved our country, our flag, and our president. She organized several bus trips to Washington, D.C. to lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery with Wreaths Across America. She ran the 5k in New York City with the Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 where she also met Frank Siller, the founder of Tunnel 2 Towers. Karen loved all Rock & Roll music but especially the Beatles. She made several trips to Las Vegas to see the Beatles Love Show at the Mirage Hotel. Recently in life, she had a newfound passion for Elvis. 

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sisters, Sharon L. Bosold, wife of Larry J., Susan I. Shultz, and Elaine M. Bowman, wife of Michael, many nieces and nephews, her sister in laws, Susan L. Epler, Elizabeth A. Epler, and Linda A. Sloss, her brother in law, William P. Epler, and her beloved cat, Mimi.

Visitation with friends and family will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm with a memorial service beginning at 7:30 pm at Lutz Funeral Home Inc., 2100 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA, 19606.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Karen's memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation online at www.t2t.org or by mail to 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 or to Wreaths Across America online to one of their many programs at Product - Wreaths Across America.

Lutz Funeral Home Inc., has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.lutzfuneralhome.com