Karen Dawn Wagner

On the morning of Sunday, December 19, 2021, at 7:06 am, Karen Dawn Wagner of Robbinsville, NC took her last breath at only 57 years old. 

Karen was born to Sue Cotsirilos (Phillips) and Joseph Wagner on April Fool’s Day – 1964. She spent the first 13 years of her life splitting time in between Chicago and North Carolina, but permanently settled in the Smoky Mountains. However, her love for Italian beef sandwiches, a Chicago staple, did not waiver. 

Karen was tough and gentle, wild, and tame, tragic, and blessed, street smart and strong willed. She could connect with anyone and saw the good in everyone. She believed in the power of prayer and the meaning of family. 

Although she never married or had any children of her own, she remained close with her nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

Karen was preceded in death by her mother, Sue; father, Joseph; siblings, Kenneth, and Angela. She is survived by her nieces, Oscea Wagner and Anastasia Brauer and Nephews, Donovan, Joshua, and Dustin Wagner. 

Family will receive friends from 9:00 till 11:00 am Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the Townson-Smith Chapel. Graveside services will follow at Lone Oak Baptist Church Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to help with funeral expenses. Donations can be made to the funeral home or the Go Fund Me page via Facebook. 

Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Wagner family. An online register is available at www.townson-smithfuneralhome.com.