KAREN ESTHER WILHELM, 55 of Whiteford, MD, sadly left us on Sunday, July 18, 2021 in the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, Bel Air, MD. She was the beloved wife of William David Wilhelm, Jr., and they shared 19 years together.

Born on August 19, 1965 in Baltimore, MD, she was one of four children born to Clyde Richard Welty of Colora, MD and the late Karen Elizabeth (Larkin) Welty and a graduate of Edgewood High School. Karen followed a different road for a women of her time and was a long distance truck driver for many years working for GR Long of Elkton, MD and drove a delivery fuel truck for Crouse Construction of Darlington, MD. Taking some time to be a full time mother and homemaker, Karen wanted to begin a third career and went to Community College of Baltimore to become a diesel mechanic. After graduation, she worked for BG&E for five years as well as George's Customs of Whiteford, MD. Taking on an additional new adventure, she was currently employed with Kuehne & Nagel of Aberdeen, MD at their warehouse as a yard jockey. Amazingly, she found time to be a volunteer for the Whiteford VFC.

Loving life, Karen was fond of camping, eating crabs and was a lobster eating pro! In addition to her family, she was extremely fond of dachshunds. She owned, bred, rescued and was somewhat obsessed with the breed – even to the extent that most of her favorite attire was adorned with this dog.

Karen was strong in her faith and was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Pylesville, MD. To say that Karen embraced new adventures, placed family first and trusted in her Lord would be a reflection on how Karen lived her remarkable life.

Additional family left to mourn this remarkable woman:

Two sons-

Wesley Roland Welty (Mickerlang) of Abingdon,MD

William David Wilhelm, III of Whiteford, MD

Three siblings:

Bonita Mueller of Middle River, MD

Sandra Ham (Jerry) of Rising Sun, MD

Cathleen Whitaker of North East, MD

Services will be held at Harkins Funeral Home, Inc., 600 Main Street, Delta, PA with a viewing on Sunday, July 25th from 3 – 6 p.m. followed with the funeral service on Monday at 11 a.m. Deacon Phillip Seneschal of St. Mary's will officiate with interment to follow in Harford Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen, MD. Funeral home staff will be on site to assist with parking and handicap needs.

Her family would appreciate memorial contributions to Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue – Mid Atlantic, PO Box 147, Jacobus, PA 17407. www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/73143-coast-to-coast-dachshund-rescue-mid-atlantic-jacobus-pennsylvania or Whiteford Vol. Fire Company, 1407 Pylesville Road, Whiteford, MD 21160 www.whitefordvfc.com/donations