Karen Elise (Homstad) Jankowich died peacefully at Yale New Haven Hospital on September 2, 2022 surrounded by her immediate family. She was the wife of Raymond E. Jankowich, MD. She remained pain-free and alert until her last breath ending a union of almost 55 years.

She was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on April 6, 1934. She was the first child of Erwin and Thelma (Larkin) Homstad of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. She graduated from Stephens College (Missouri) and earned her BA in English at the University of Wisconsin (Madison). She traveled east and worked at Yale's Sterling Library and earned an MA in Library Science from Simmons College (Boston). After graduation her first job was at the New York Public Library followed by positions in advertising in the city at the agencies Ogilvy & Mather, D'Arcy MacManus & Masius , and Grey Advertising. An Army physician colleague of Capt. Raymond E. Jankowich acted as matchmaker that led to a new married life in Stratford, Connecticut where they raised their sons Andrew and Matthew.

She was a devoted reader of biographies and other non-fiction, the daily New York Times, and the New Yorker. She enjoyed attending the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center and theatre performances in New York and Connecticut (Long Wharf Theatre, Yale Rep). She had a long-standing love of classic Hollywood movies. She also enjoyed travel, especially visits to new and interesting places, restaurants, and hotels.

She was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband Raymond, her sons Andrew (Danielle) and Matthew (Colleen) and five grandchildren Alexander, Caroline, Catherine, Lucia, and Sabina. She is also survived by three brothers Gilbert, Jon, and Richard and their children.

A private graveside service was held on Tuesday September 6, 2022 at St. John's Cemetery, Stratford, CT.

Memorial donations may be made to the Stephens Fund, Stephens College (Columbia, MO) or the Stratford Library Association (Stratford, CT).