Karen Lee Lyssy, 71, wife, mother, ma, and dear friend to all, entered heaven’s gates peacefully on August 11, 2020 in Houston, Texas as Houston Inpatient Hospice with her husband, Ervin Lyssy by her side.

Karen was born in San Antonio, Texas on December 25, 1948 to Jerome and Margie Siebold. While growing up in San Antonio, Karen attended Catholic schools throughout her education.  She met Ervin Lyssy while at a dance in Kosciusko, Texas.  As they got to know each other, love blossomed like a flower and they were married two years later.  They started their life together in Kosciusko, Texas and attended St. Ann’s Catholic Church.  They moved to Houston, Texas in 1970 and started raising their family.  In 1975, they moved to Pearland, Texas where they attended St. Helen Catholic Church.

Karen always had a loving and nurturing heart.  Her heart’s desire was always to be a nurse because of her grandmother so she pursued nursing and graduated from San Jacinto College with a Registered Nursing Degree in 1978. Over her professional career she worked in numerous hospitals, doctors’ offices, and the University of Texas Health Science Center where she retired.

Last year, Karen was diagnosed with a genetic disease called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.  It is very rare and there is no cure.  Her liver quit processing protein, leading to lung issues and other complications.  Over the last 18 months, Ervin loved on Karen and took excellent care nurturing her and took her to all her doctor appointments.  It wasn’t until last Friday, that Karen began to hurt in a way that he could not help her anymore.  Karen and her family made a very hard decision and she was admitted into Houston Hospice.  Jesus filled her last days with love, calmness and free of pain.  Karen told her family she was ready and Ervin prayed the rosary with her Monday night.  On Tuesday, at 2:30 am, Jesus called Karen home with Ervin by her side.

Karen was blessed to be able to spend quality “borrowed time” with family and friends over the last 18 months.

She was welcomed into heaven by her best friend and uncle, Father Jerry Siebold, a Redemptorist Priest; her parents; and brother, Carl Siebold.

Karen is survived by her husband Ervin Lyssy of 53 years, daughters: Tracy Vajdos and LeAnne Strempel (Edward); son: Travis Lyssy (Susan); grandchildren: Paige and Morgan Vajdos; Caleb, Madalyn and Evan Strempel; and Jordan Lyssy; brothers: John Siebold (Denise) and Stephen Siebold; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2020 from 5-8 p.m. with a rosary at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Crowder Funeral Home in Pearland, Texas.  A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 14, 2020 at 12 p.m. at St. Helen Catholic Church in Pearland, Texas.  Her final resting place will be at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Kosciusko, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for a donation to be made in honor and memory of Karen Lyssy to Houston Hospice or to the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Foundation at www.alpha1.org to help support research. The family is appreciative and forever grateful for the love and gentle care given to Karen by Dr. Bindu Akkanti, Dr. Victor Machicao, and all the loving staff at Houston Hospice.

The family asks that you spend time with your children; take a walk on the beach with your loved ones; make a toast to family, love and enduring friendships; and never pass up an opportunity to greet someone with a hug, kiss and a smile.  That is what Karen believed in and how she lived her life.

While hearts are broken, God has provided an existing peace within the family.  The family is blessed by all the thoughts and prayers.