Yvonne Ann Karlen Beard

         Mrs. Yvonne Karlen Beard, 69, of Bermuda Run, NC passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026 at her home after a brief illness. She was born March 2, 1956 in Marathon County, WI to Clarence Benjamin Karlen and Loretta Wirkus Karlen. Yvonne was a member of Augsburg Lutheran Church in Winston-Salem, NC. She was originally employed by Henricksen Company as the credit and collections manager controlling over $500,000,000 in revenue. Upon retirement, she was a consistent, dedicated volunteer. She headed or provided leadership at church for the Fellowship team, the Comfort committee, the food pantry at Christ Beloved Church and serving meals at SECU house. She made over 100 quilts as part of the quilting group, several hundred Covid masks and at least 200 backpacks. In all ways a force in our church. In 2021 she received an Appreciation Award from the Governor for her dedicated service. For those she knew, she never missed sending a birthday, wedding, sympathy or anniversary card. She loved everyone especially the kids, grandkids, great grandchildren and her 6 God children.

        Surviving are her husband of 29 years, Sanford “Sandy” Beard; five children, Timothy Knauf (Sheree) and Rhonda Grabko (Jim), Angela Keaveney (Marty), Brian Beard (Corine) and Jeffrey MacBeard (Jenny); seven grandchildren, Mitchell, Connor, Jacob, Hannah, Fletcher, George and Elliott; three great grandchildren, Caleb, Lydia and Eden; one sister, Kathleen Strasser and two brothers, Jerry Karlen and Gene Karlen. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Augsburg Lutheran Church with Rev. Paul A. Wollner officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium. Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel is serving the Beard family.

Memorials may be made in Yvonne's memory to The Dwelling, 520 N. Spring St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101.