Obituary - Karan Fenner Lunstra

Karan "Gammy" Fenner Lunstra, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, of Richmond, Virginia, departed this life at age 75 on Monday, October 02, 2023, at Bon Secours Community Hospice House in Bon Air, surrounded by family.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd, Richmond, VA. A graveside service will follow at 12 p.m. in Westhampton Memorial Park, 10000 Patterson Ave, Richmond, and a family reception will be held upon return to the funeral home. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 4th at Woody Funeral Home-Parham, Richmond, VA.

Karan was born to Melvin G. & Bertha D. Kimble on Saturday, November 29th, 1947 in Harrisonburg, VA. Blessed with the love and support of her parents, Karan graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 1966, and from Petersburg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1969. She began a career as a Registered Nurse that spanned for over 42 years, and four hospitals (Tucker Psychiatric, Henrico Doctors, Mary Lanning in Nebraska, and John Randolph in Hopewell).

Karan was married to William S. Fenner for six years and was blessed with two sons, whom she raised in Richmond, VA. Karan started a new life on January 2, 1999, when she and Dr. Donald Lunstra married and moved to Hastings, Nebraska. Karanwas always up for an adventure, and traveled the world with Don and often visiting friends and family, but always remarked how Wyoming was her favorite state, and Niagara Falls was her special place. Don retired in 2007 and they moved back to the Richmond area, settling in National Battlefield Park in Varina, VA. Karan retired from nursing in 2011.

Karan considered her greatest joy and blessing in life to be her grandchildren, and she was affectionately known as “Gammy” by each of them. She was full of life as she visited the beach with all of the grandkids, played countless hands of cards at the cabin (she was a Skip-Bo card shark), or made Gammy Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Karan passed on her love of chocolate to all her grandkids. Praising and encouraging them all to be themselves and laugh often will be her lasting gift to them. Karan was devoted to her large, blended family and was always there to assist through an illness, or after surgery. Nursing everyone with her warm smile, sharp wit and tender heart.

She is survived by her husband, Don, of Varina, and sister Marilyn Kelsey of Richmond; two sons Shawn Fenner and wife, Jessica, of Midlothian, VA and Brandon Fenner and wife, Connie, of Chapel Hill, NC; two stepsons Dustin Lunstra and wife, Rana, of Coatesville, PA and Christopher Lunstra and wife Amy, of Littleton, CO; eight grandchildren Berkeley and Darcy Fenner of Midlothian, Ethan and Graysen Fenner of Chapel Hill, NC, Courtney and Taylor Lunstra, of Coatesville PA, and Aiden and Brennan Lunstra of Littleton, CO; niece Kyle Clark and husband, Eddie, of Powhatan, special cousin, Evelyn Eades and her husband, Ronnie, of Henrico, and many other cousins, brothers and sisters in-law. Karan was a very special person who was exceptionally kind and loving to all.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1477, Harrisonburg, VA 22803. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at woodyfuneralhomeparham.com