Kari Susane Richards, 67, of Maxwell, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at her home on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2025, surrounded by loved ones, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Kari was born on April 12, 1958, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Kenneth and Donna (Steele) Claudson. She was raised in North Platte, Nebraska, where she met the love of her life, Patrick, during their teenage years—he a frequent visitor to the Dairy Queen where she worked. Kari joined the Catholic Church in 1976, and she and Pat were married shortly thereafter on January 8, 1977.
Kari’s greatest calling was her role as a devoted homemaker and mother, raising her three children with love and care. Throughout her life, she also worked in various roles, including managing the Prairie View Apartment Complex, running a cleaning and painting service, working at Creative Kids Preschool, Mid-Plains Community College, and Rebecca’s Rose Garden.
After Pat experienced a life-altering accident in 2003, Kari lovingly dedicated herself full time to caring for him. Kari had a deep and unwavering love for her Catholic faith. She joyfully shared her ministry through numerous retreats for people of all ages such as Going Bananas for Jesus, Higher Ground, Teens Encounter Christ, Cursillo, Catholics Encounter Christ, and World Wide Marriage Encounter. Her love for God was truly contagious to those around her.
She also formed lifelong friendships through her passion for fitness, enjoying activities such as Jazzercise, long walks, and hikes with family and friends. Kari loved traveling with her travel group, watching beautiful sunsets, and, most of all, spending time with her cherished grandchildren. There was no better title to Kari than Grandma. It was the role that defined her, the heartbeat of her life, and the legacy she cherished most.
In her later years, Pat and Kari enjoyed their winter home in Mesa. Kari loved the close-knit community of friends that quickly became family. She loved being active in the resort partaking in water aerobics, Zumba, many nights dancing to the bands and chasing the beautiful Arizona sunsets. Kari loved that many of her Grandchildren were able to visit the resort and create many memories with her Mesa Regal friends.
Kari was blessed with three additional years of life after she was revived by her husband Pat due to a cardiac event that caused her heart to stop. Those years became an unexpected gift full of countless memories and a reminder for us all to live every day as it could be your last.
Throughout her cancer journey, she formed deep and meaningful bonds with those who cared for her. A special thanks to the Callahan Cancer Center, The Remedy Clinic, Elevate Salon, Great Plains Internal Medicine, Great Plains Orthopedics, Great Plains General Surgery, Buffet Cancer Center, MD Anderson, and Brookstone Home Health and Hospice.
Kari will be remembered for her faith, strength, kindness, and the love she so freely gave to others. Kari is lovingly remembered by her husband; her children, Kristopher (Connie) Richards, Michelle (Shaun) Pagel, and Sara (Christopher) Ningen; and her grandchildren, Klayton, Hannah, Brenna, Owen, Maci, and Wyatt. She is also survived by her siblings, Kay (David) Edson and Kelly Claudson; her brothers-in-law, Scotty, Michael, and Steve Richards, Todd Chappel; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister-in-law, Debbie Claudson; her mother-in-law, Milly Richards; her father-in-law, Scotty Richards; her brother-in-law, Tony Richards; and her niece Brenda Brummels.
Services will be livestreamed and online condolences are at www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Services will be at 7:00 P.M. Friday January 2, 2026 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday January 3, 2026 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday December 29, 2025 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.