This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Proberts, Erixon, Wyatt, Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/0k.2ADE/2120 Message Board Post: Karen S. Proberts, M.D. May 10, 2004 Karen Sue Proberts, M.D., 52, Crescent, formerly of Missouri Valley, died April 27 at home. Karen was born May 7, 1951, in Kansas City, Mo. She received her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University and her medical degree from University of Kansas in Kansas City, Kan. She was medical director of Alegent Health Hospice and Palliative Care. She practiced privately as a general surgeon in Council Bluffs for 18 years. For the past 13 years, she served as medical director of Alegent Health Hospice, Council Bluffs. Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 1996 and underwent four months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She was cancer-free for more than five years after treatment. This gave her a special insight into the disease, which she shared with her patients, a hospice co-worker said. After receiving her medical degree, she completed a residency in general surgery at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., and completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Karen was board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She was a fellow in the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Proberts was extensively involved in educational efforts on palliative care and pain management issues for both health professionals and consumers. She was a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. She previously served as physician advisor on the Jennie Edmundson Hospital Pain Management Task Force and was currently a member of the Alegent Health Pain Forum. She was also a member of the Nebraska Coalition for Health Care. She was a noted speaker who was frequently requested for hospice and palliative care topics. She was a board member of Wings of Hope cancer support center, Council Bluffs, and Hospice House, Omaha. Last October, Dr. Proberts received the Special Friend of Wings of Hope award for her outstanding contributions to breast cancer survivors. She had also been involved with the American Cancer Society and had served as honorary chairwoman of the Pottawattamie County Relay for Life. She also received the Heritage Award for health and medicine in March. She was a current member of the St. Albert Foundation. Karen resigned two weeks ago as medical director of Alegent Health Hospice & Palliative Care because of her health. Dr. Proberts and her husband, contractor and former Harrison County Supervisor John Erixon, were married 16 years. She was preceded in death by her parents William F. and Mary F. Wyatt Proberts. Survivors in addition to her husband include sons, Casey Erixon and Sean Erixon, both of Crescent; brother, Steven Proberts, and his wife, Jane, Haysville, Kan.; special friend, Mary Cannon, Omaha; nieces; nephews; and cousins. Funeral Services will be held today (Friday, April 30) at 9:30 a.m. at St. Albert High School, Council Bluffs. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at St. Albert. Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to Alegent Hospice, St. Albert Foundation, Scholarship Fund for Casey and Sean Erixon, and American Cancer Society. Respectfully submitted for other researchers ©MISSOURI VALLEY TIMES - NEWS 2004