Karen was a unique individual, a person whose inner beauty outshone her physical beauty, who found joy in everything life threw at her and had a never quit attitude. Most people faced with the challenges Karen had would have given up, become angry and bitter, but not Karen, she just kept moving forward, never acknowledging the possibility of defeat, “well we will just have to deal with it.” Her unwavering faith in God, her love for her family and friends, especially her daughter Michelle, and her joy in helping others, is what carried her through life.
Her first challenge at the age of 8 was surviving open heart surgery to repair a congenital birth defect in her heart. She survived because she kept fighting for what she wanted, which was to go home to her dad even if it meant hiding from the nurses under the bed (and allegedly screaming).
Her strength of spirit helped her overcome the grief of losing her beloved dad and having her daughter, Michelle, all in the same year. When she became a single mother, she didn’t let anything stand in her way from providing the best life for her daughter, giving her anything a little girl could ever want, while still pushing Michelle to be strong and independent woman in her own right.
The last few years of her life, Karen was often challenge with debilitating health issues that would have left most just sitting in their houses. Not Karen, her home was always decorated (and organized) to perfection inside and out, usually with things she made herself or crafted by dearly beloved friends. One of her favorite things to do (other than mowing her lawn with her riding mower) and re-designing her patio space with cinderblocks!
Even when she was a frequent visitor to the hospitals, she continued to bring joy to all, calling all of the nurses “honey.” Karen’s good humor, smile and wink she left a lasting impression, her last ICU nurse remembered that she always had a laugh, good word, a quirk of an eyebrow or a wink to brighten the day.
Throughout Karen’s life she had many careers, but they all centered around one thing-caring for others. Caring for those in a nursing home, in the hospital as a PT Technician, to taking care of kids in her daycare, to caring for her sister-in-law and bringing her into her own home, and taking care of the staff and kids in the Blue Valley School District.
After her official retirement, Karen continued her caring career within her beloved town of Pleasanton, Kansas. Baking for her church and local events, bringing water and cookies to the police officers and sharing her craft creations with the library. Karen loved the library where she participated in several clubs, for quilting, making cards, reading books, and playing games.
Karen is survived by her daughter Michelle Johnson, sisters Brenda Hargrove and Robin Petkewich, nephews: Jeff and Chelsea (nee Chandler) Hargrove, their daughters Kennedie and Hannah, Bryon Hargrove, his children Ellison, Charlotte, and Korbyn, Connor and Cheyenne (nee Guilick) Gentry, their son Elijah and all of the kids that called her “grandma or Auntie Karen” even though they were not related to her. Karen is preceded in death by her mother Marie, father Jack, brothers John and Melvin.
Karen touched so many lives, bringing joy and laughter with her kindness, mischievousness, and thoughtfulness of others, she will be deeply missed.
Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Pleasanton United Methodist Church. The family suggests memorials be made to the Pleasanton Lincoln Library and may be sent in care of Schneider Funeral Home P.O. Box 525 Pleasanton, Kansas 66075. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com
