Karla G. Enzweiler

Karla Gasper Enzweiler never missed sending a birthday card to family members and countless friends. Remembered as someone who radiated kindness and so full of life she often laughed until she cried.

Karla (age 63) died peacefully in her beloved husband Gary’s arms, surrounded by family, on July 22, 2025. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 2, 1962, to Donald and Dorothy Gasper. Karla and Gary split their time between Cincinnati, Ohio and Sedona, Arizona.

Karla is survived by her husband Gary Enzweiler, sisters Barbara Gasper, Teri Keith (Thomas) and DeeDee Dorenkott (Philip), sisters-in-law Susan Enzweiler (John), Sharon Enzweiler, Diane Enzweiler and Kim Enzweiler (Glenn), nephews Mitchell Enzweiler (Katie), Brandon Dorenkott, Bobby Hauer and AJ Hauer (Lexi), nieces Lindsey Dorenkott and Madison Enzweiler, and great nephew Eli Enzweiler.

She graduated from Fox Chapel High School in 1980, then earned a B.S. in Biology at Franklin & Marshall College in 1984. Karla enjoyed successful careers in technology and health care, working for decades at IBM and Anthem.

Karla excelled at youth and high school sports and went on to play varsity soccer in college. As an adult, she was a dedicated Flying Pig Marathon 5K participant. Karla completed many long-distance bike rides, including the MS 150 and the Allegheny Passage, and enjoyed countless Arizona mountain hikes and ski adventures.

Karla and Gary never missed one day of talking, despite hectic schedules that often sent them to different parts of the country. Married on September 28, 1996, their love and devotion to each other was obvious to everyone who knew them. After Karla was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in 2018, their commitment to each other only grew as they fought the disease together. Karla outlived her doctors’ prognosis by years.

And those years were full of adventure criss-crossing the country in their RV, visiting friends and family, alpaca farms, National Parks, breweries & wineries, and even a Wisconsin egg farm. She continued to hike and bike when her health allowed.

After her cancer diagnosis, Karla continued her volunteer work in Sedona when she could. Her passion for fighting food insecurity led to her work at the Society of St.Vincent de Paul Food Distribution Center. She tutored fourth graders in reading and English at the Sedona Literacy Center. Karla also sponsored a child through the Catholic nonprofit Unbound, an organization that helps families rise out of poverty.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 29 from 9:00am - 9:45am, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 am at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains (325 W. 8th St., Cincinnati, OH). All are invited to a celebration of life at the Drees Pavillion in Devou Park (790 Park Ln., Covington, KY) immediately after Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Distribution Center (sjvsedona.org), Unbound (unbound.org), and The Sedona Literacy Center (saint-andrews.org).

Internment will be private at a later date.