Karen Elaine Nelsch

Karen Elaine (Ruttan) Nelsch

CUYAHOGA FALLS – Karen Elaine Nelsch (WB8BII), 83, passed away on December 17, 2025. Karen was born in 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Arden and Marjorie (Healey) Ruttan. She graduated with a degree in education from Kent State University. Karen worked as an Executive Administrator for the Ohio Conference of Community Development for 20 years.

She was heavily involved with the city of Cuyahoga Falls and its community. She was a troop leader with Girl Scouts for many years and taught girls important life lessons. She was seen as practical and compassionate to all who met her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 61 years, Donald R. Nelsch and her sister Barbara Avery.

Karen is survived by her children, Cynthia Lynn (Chris) Oesterling, of Troy, MI, and Kathleen Sue (David Kekish) Nelsch, of Chardon, OH; grandchildren, Becky and Sarah Oesterling, and Meghan and Amy Kekish, and brothers, Arden (Susan) Ruttan, of Kent, OH and Karl (Mary Barkalow) Ruttan, of Louisville, KY.

Friends will be received on January 10, 2026 from 1:30 p.m. until time of Memorial Service at 2:30 p.m. at Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. Rev. Kirk Bruce will officiate and burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Operation Homefront P.O.Box 8209 Topeka KS 66608-9802 or The Humane Society of Summit County 752 West Portage Trail, Akron, OH 44313.