Karen M Pressler

Karen Pressler passed away on Monday, March 9, 2015. She was a fighter to the end, surpassing all expectations of the medical community who cared for her during her 3 year battle with cancer. During that time, she traveled to Hawaii, California, North Carolina, and instigated a major “cousins reunion” in Michigan by accepting an invitation to lunch from 1500 miles away.




Karen was born April 28, 1937, in St. Joseph, Michigan to Thaddeus and Grace Fiebich. The second eldest of five children, Karen along with her siblings were raised in a loving home with a profound respect for nature—camping trips, planting trees, and tending vegetable gardens were common family pursuits.




Karen moved to Houston, Texas, in 1961 and raised her family. It was an exciting time during the Space Era and Big Oil. Also influential in her life were hunting expeditions in South Texas, motorcycle convoys to South Padre Island and Mexico, and going to the beach at Galveston, Surfside and Bolivar Island as often as possible.




In the 1970’s Karen became a prominent car salesperson—not an easy feat in a male-dominated world. But she had great mentors and friends, one being Sonny Pressler. They married in 1980 and were devoted to each other until his passing in December of 2010.




They lived across the South, selling cars and buying beach houses. Karen’s fried shrimp is famous from Texas to Florida. They settled in San Antonio, after Sonny’s illness, to be near the VA Hospital. Karen became the Music Librarian at University United Methodist Church, a massive job organizing choral, orchestral, youth and children’s music. She loved her music family and took very good care of them.







Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Thaddeus and Grace Fiebich, sister, Sandra Fiebich Smith, husband Alton H. “Sonny” Pressler and step-daughter Julie Pressler Ault.

She is survived by her brother Thad John “TJ” Fiebich and wife Jeanie, sister Linda Schork and husband Tony, and sister Erika Jaskiewicz and husband Dave, brother-in-law David Smith, and brother-in-law James W. Pressler and wife Patsy.

And by her children Eric Marquardt, Leif Marquardt, and Shauna Forkenbrock and husband Michael, and step-children Alton H. “Al” Pressler, III, Jo Ellen Dietz and husband Bob, James Eric Pressler and wife Kimberly.

And by her grandchildren Daniel Paley and wife Ashton, Sara Brouk, Grace Marquardt and fiancé Elan Kovo, Olivia Forkenbrock, and Zachary Forkenbrock, and step-grandchildren Callie Wahl Denbigh, Kolby Wahl, Joshua Ault, Porscha Pressler, Cameron Pressler and Madison Pressler.

And by her great-grandchildren Kaden Brouk and Jackson Paley.




Memorial contributions may be made in Karen Pressler’s name to

Christus Sister Mary Hospice Center

5131 Medical Drive, Suite 310 • San Antonio, Texas 78229




Graveside Memorial Service is March 30 at 10:30am at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetary