Karen Junette Heins

Karen Junette (Barrett) Heins, age 79, peacefully went to be with the Lord while surrounded by her family on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. A private family graveside service will be held at a future date at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering, Nebraska. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Karen’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Karen was born on September 1, 1946, in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, to Alfred “Harold” and Mabel Junette (Belgum) Barrett. She graduated from Melbeta High School in 1964 in Melbeta, Nebraska.

She married Larry Heins on August 19, 1978, and together they shared 42 years of marriage. Karen worked at Sunstrand Credit Union for over 20 years and influenced many through her strong work ethic.

Her love of travel took her to many places, with Mexico being her favorite! Karen’s free time was spent shopping to find the perfect bargain and wordsmithing her way through a competitive game of Scrabble, “One Day at a Time”.

Survivors include her sister’s family, Carol (Bob) Taylor of Arizona, nieces, Melanie (Bob) Wells and Gayle (Jason) Hibner, and great-nieces and great-nephews, Dustin, Emily, and Wyatt; her brother’s family, Dwight (Jenni) Barrett of Nebraska, nieces and nephews, Joshua Barrett, Amy (Ryan) Biggs, and Joel (Gabrielle) Barrett, and great-nieces and great-nephews, Waylon, William, and Walker; brother-in-law, Fred Heins of Kansas; sisters-in-law, Janice Price of Kansas and Theresa Hatch of Illinois; and numerous nieces-in-law and nephews-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mabel Barrett; and husband, Larry Heins.

Karen loved her family and close friends deeply. Her kindness, humor, warm spirit, and perfectly played word combos will live on in all who knew her. She now rests in the peace and promise of the Lord she loved. Her family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of Regional West Medical Center for the compassionate and exceptional care she received.