Karen Marie (McGonnell) Krater

Karen Marie (McGonnell) Krater of Millcreek Township, PA passed away at Reading Hospital on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. 

Born in Plainfield, NJ on February 16, 1959, she was the daughter of the late Dr. James Anthony and Dorothy Marie McGonnell. 

Karen (“Myrtz”) graduated from Pennsylvania State University, Class of 1981, then dedicated her professional career to Landscape Architecture. 

She was a member of Swamp Lutheran Church, Newmanstown Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, Millcreek Township Planning Commission, Millcreek Community Group, and inadvertently became the CEO of a friends and family horticulture hotline. 

Those who knew Karen will always remember her selflessness, a legacy she continued through her final gift as an organ donor with Gift of Life. 

In addition to her parents, Karen is preceded in death by two siblings: James Joseph and Doreen Marie McGonnell. She is survived by her husband of 40 years Randall Arthur Krater, sister Kathleen Anne Berger, three daughters: Margaret Eleanor Krater, Janet Lee (Krater) McDonough, and Katherine Elizabeth Krater, son-in-law Jeffrey Roger McDonough Jr., and three grandchildren: Jeffrey Roger III, Dorothy Odette, and Ruby Marie McDonough.

Relatives and friends are invited to a 10am visitation on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Swamp Lutheran Church, 275 Swamp Church Road, Reinholds, PA, followed by a service at 11am with Pastor Scott Brubaker officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Cressona Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Swamp Lutheran Church Property Fund to support the ongoing beautification of one of her favorite designs.