Wendy Jayne Karrasch, of Carlisle, formerly of York County, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the age of 55.

Born February 26, 1971, Wendy is the daughter of Richard Michael Coons, Sr. and Linda Jayne (Wagner) Coons.

Wendy shared her life with her beloved husband, Christopher John Karrasch, whom she affectionately described as the love of her life. The two met on September 21, 2018, and were married exactly one year later, on September 21, 2019. Wendy treasured the life they built together and especially loved simply being close to Chris, spending time at home, and sharing life’s everyday moments.

In addition to her husband and parents, Wendy is survived by her mother-in-law, Peggy Karrasch; her two stepsons, Daniel Karrasch and his wife, Gretchen, and Scott Karrasch; her brother, Michael Richard Coons, Jr.; her sister-in-law, Tina Coons; her nieces, Jeseka and Nicollette; and her grandnephews, Drave and Ryker.

Wendy was preceded in death by her brother, Ted Ranney Coons.

Wendy lived a life filled with faith, service, adventure, music, learning, and an undeniable curiosity about the world around her.

A graduate of Northeastern High School in 1989, Wendy earned her private pilot license just one week before her high school graduation. Later that year, she answered another call to adventure and service when she joined the United States Navy. After completing boot camp in Orlando, Florida, Wendy attended aviation electronics training in Millington, Tennessee, and was later stationed with VX-5, the “Vampires,” at China Lake, California. During her service, she became a certified plane captain and proudly served her country for four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1993.

Her desire to learn never stopped.

Wendy earned an associate degree in Land Surveying in 2000 and later graduated from the HACC Police Academy, where she received an award for her driving skills. She worked as a park ranger with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources before beginning what would become a long and meaningful career with the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS).

Throughout her career, Wendy served in numerous conservation positions and locations, including York, Lancaster, Berks County, Potter County and Harrisburg. She became a Certified Conservation Plan Writer and, in 2016, earned her bachelor's degree in Agricultural Sciences from Oregon State University.

For Wendy, conservation was never simply a job. It was stewardship.

When visiting a farmer for the first time, Wendy would often explain her purpose with words that perfectly reflected the way she approached her work:

“I’m here to help you be good stewards of the land you’ve been blessed with.”

That belief guided her career. Wendy respected the people who worked the land and understood conservation as a partnership—helping farmers care for what had been entrusted to them so it could remain productive and healthy for generations to come.

Her connection to the land carried into her personal life as well. Wendy loved planting seeds, tending gardens, harvesting what she grew, and photographing flowers. She found joy in watching something carefully planted, nurtured and cared for become something beautiful.

One of the most important days of Wendy’s life came on June 13, 2004, when she accepted Jesus Christ into her heart at York Alliance Church.

Her faith became the foundation upon which she built the rest of her life.

Wendy loved Jesus, and she loved telling others about Him. She lived her faith not simply through words, but through service. From 2007 to 2008, she served as a missionary assistant in Macedonia, an experience that became part of a lifetime filled with travel, ministry and discovering the people and cultures of the world.

Her travels took her throughout the United States and to places around the globe, including Macedonia, El Salvador, Turkey, Greece, Switzerland, Serbia, Bulgaria, Canada, Mexico, France, Italy and numerous other destinations. Wendy was always ready for another trail, another place and another story to bring home.

And wherever Wendy went, music was rarely far away.

Music was woven deeply into her life. She played the mandolin, mountain dulcimer, violin, guitar, bouzouki, harp, thumb piano, drums and numerous other instruments she collected throughout the years. One of her most treasured instruments was a mountain dulcimer she assembled from a kit with the help of her father.

Wendy also enjoyed writing music and songs of her own and loved sharing music with others. She sang alto in the choir at York Alliance Church and found joy in gathering people together through music, faith and fellowship.

She loved hiking, including time spent along the Appalachian Trail and other trails; traveling; gardening; spending time with family and friends; hosting pool parties at home; and enjoying the companionship of her beloved kitties, Belle and Dolly.

But perhaps Wendy's greatest gift was her ability to genuinely enjoy people.

She loved family. She loved friends. She loved conversation. She loved gathering people together. And above all else, she loved Jesus.

Wendy lived a life that refused to fit neatly into one description.

She was a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, stepmother, friend, veteran, conservationist, missionary, musician, gardener, traveler, pilot, student and woman of deep faith.

She learned.

She explored.

She served.

She loved.

And through it all, she remained endlessly curious about what might be waiting just around the next bend in the trail.

A Funeral Service celebrating Wendy's life and faith will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at York Alliance Church, 501 Rathton Road, York, with Pastor Brian Kannel officiating. Interment will follow in Highland View Cemetery. There will be a viewing at the church on Friday evening, October 9, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wagner-Elfner & Burg Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 3070 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion, PA 17356. Condolences may be shared at www.wagner-elfner-burg.com.