Karen was born on February 6, 1939 in Butler, Missouri, the daughter of Kenneth LeRoy and Doris Edna (Hill) Swigart. Karen Dee grew up in the Belton and Harrisonville areas, graduating from Harrisonville High School with the Class of 1957. During High School, she raised chickens with her brother, Theron, usually thousands at a time! She also played basketball throughout High School. She went on to marry Jim Harter in 1958, and they were married for 18 years before separating, he preceded her in death. During this time, she and her brother, Theron, purchased B&H Freight Line from her father, Kenneth Swigart, and ran the family business as the secretary, bookkeeper and Vice President for 38 years. She later married Lawrence “Larry” Carrel on February 14, 1977 and they were married for 18 years as well before he preceded her in passing. She went on to co-own and operate Show Me Trucking with her brother, Theron, for many more years. Karen Dee volunteered at Cass County Medical Center for 19 years. She also enjoyed bowling and traveling with Doris Marrs and several friends over the years. She will likely be remembered most for giving her love to others selflessly, volunteering at many places in the local community, and from helping to raise her niece and nephew from young ages and becoming a second Mom to them, later becoming Grandma to their children, and always enjoying a funny story being told. She will be missed by all those who knew her.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Jim Harter; her second husband, Larry Carrel; her sister, Carol Lynne “Skip” Marrs; and her niece, Tera Marrs. She is survived by her brother, Theron (Nina “Sis”) Swigart; her nephews: Mark (Jamie) Marrs and Darrin (Andi) Swigart; her nieces: Misty (Russell) Wohlford and Dena Lynn (Dominic) Swigart-Lilly; and 12 great nieces and nephews.
