Karen A. (Benscoter) Blaine, age 76 of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Allied Services Meade St. Skilled Nursing, Wilkes-Barre.

She was born in Nanticoke on October 23, 1949 and was the daughter of the late Glenn and Eloise Benscoter.

Karen was a member of the Our Lady of Hope Church in Wilkes-Barre where she was a member of the crocheting ministry and was a Eucharistic Minister. She volunteered at the Plymouth Library and Pet Smart, where she spent time with the animals. Karen was employed at Lord and Taylor in Wilkes-Barre. She was an avid reader of Steven King books and enjoyed knitting and crocheting.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by fur babies, Smudge, Ashley and Betty Ann; nephew, Doug.

Karen is survived by her husband of 26 years, Joseph; children, Joe Blaine, Jr. (Cindy Ann) of Harveys Lake, Angela Harmon (Shawn) of Idetown and Jessie Zim of Nanticoke; numerous grandchildren; dogs, Shane, Melonie and Ginger; cat, Lacy.

A memorial service will be held Thursday March 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek, with her nephew, Pastor Richard Blaine, officiating.

Visitation will be from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial donations can be made to Rescue Pets Serving Vets, 4793 Red Rock Rd., Benton, PA 17814.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to longtime family friends, Helene and John, Jorge, Maria and Angela, Katie, Marianne and Carl, Steve and Stella, and to the staff at Geisinger Wyoming Valley and Allied Hospice Meade St. for making her last days more comfortable.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com