Updated Obituary - Karen S. Kennedy

Karen S. Kennedy

Karen S. Kennedy, 75 of Butler, Missouri passed away February 2, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital-East in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Karen’s wishes were to be cremated and a Memorial Service will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009) in Butler.  

Visitation will be prior to the service from noon until 1 PM at the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Double Branch Christian Church, and messages of condolence for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Karen Sue (Fitzpatrick) Kennedy was born January 9, 1942 in Butler, Missouri, daughter of Edward and Maxine (Shedrick) Fitzpatrick. She was raised by her grandparents Blueford and Hannah Howard.

Karen was baptized at the Presbyterian church in Rich Hill, Missouri and later changed her membership to the Adrian Christian Church. She later became and remained a longtime member of the Double Branch Christian Church. She was a den mother for her sons and a leader for her daughters in Girl Scouts, and worked in the Adrian PTA and as a room mother in St. Elizabeth, Missouri for her grandchildren. She loved to bowl when she was living in Adrian, and loved to play Bingo. Karen was a member of the Ladies’ Aid at Double Branch church, and had also worked for Helping Hands in St. Elizabeth. She loved to crochet and made every one of her grandchildren their own blanket. While being raised by her grandparents, she visited her dad in Michigan in the summers.

Karen was preceded in death by her grandparents, Blueford and Hannah Howard; her father Edward Fitzpatrick and step-mother Eula Fitzpatrick; her mother Maxine Richardson and step-father Gomer Richardson; a brother-in-law Alfred Kennedy, and two step-brothers and one step-sister.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Kennedy of the home; three sons: Chuck Kennedy (Rita) of Rich Hill; Tom Kennedy (Julie) of Butler; Billy Joe Kennedy (Monica) of Ballard, Missouri; two daughters: Connie VanKirk (Willis) of Butler; and Jeanie Stephens (Jerry) of Adrian; eight grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and one on the way; nine step-great-grandchildren; one sister Nanette Dahmer (George) of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; one brother-in-law Gary Kennedy (Peggy) of Adrian; three sisters-in-law: Ruth Shook (David) of Indiana; Estella Baker of Rich Hill; and Lois Kennedy of Nevada, Missouri; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.