1939
Karen
2008
Karen Taylor
July 13, 1939 — March 22, 2008
Karen E. Taylor, age 68, of Overland Park, Ks, died on March 22, 2008 of cancer, surrounded by her family.
A resident of Johnson County since 1948, she was born July 13, 1939 in Creston, Iowa to Walter Dean and Ramona (Van Velsan) Clayton. She graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in 1957 and enjoyed several careers throughout her life, retiring in 2007.
Karen is survived by her loving husband of almost 48 years, David W. Taylor; two daughters and their husbands, Sheryl and Gordon Bolton of Creston, IA, and Janet and Gary Goss of Leawood, KS. Karen is also survived by two sisters and their husbands, Raidene and Donald Sticken of Creston, IA and Jeannie and Bill Boothe of Climax Springs, MO. She leaves 4 grandchildren, Brian (wife Amy) Bolton, Rachael (husband Clint) Travis, Kevin (wife Stacie) Bolton, all of Creston, IA and Scott Goss of Alexandria, VA; 7 great-grandchildren, Kaden, Gavin and Emma Bolton and Jacob, Gracie, Luke and Caleb Travis, all of Creston, IA, and several nieces and nephews. Karen was preceded in death by her parents. She loved her family and friends dearly! Karen was a lady in every way with a very kind heart and modest manner. She had a passion for life and set a wonderful example of how to live life and treat others.
Karen was committed to serving others as a tutor for Literacy Kansas City, serving on the Board of Directors for Oakshire in Overland Park, Kansas, and as a member of the Hand Bell Choir and volunteer at Church of the Resurrection. She was an avid learner who believed in keeping young by learning new things, such as tap dancing, tai chi, playing the recorder, and wool rug hooking. She loved music, reading, shopping for shoes, spending time with friends and family and thought it was fun to be a girl! Karen's accomplishments include playing the Mormon Tabernacle pipe organ in 1976, receiving the Highest Award for Achievement from the Dale Carnegie Course in 2005, and she was an important member of the Shawnee Mission High Class of 1957 50th Year Reunion Committee where she took great pride in creating and maintaining the class reunion web site. Karen was a precious wife, a cherished mother, a very loving grandmother and great-grandmother, and a dear friend.. Our loss will never be overcome but we will carry her spirit with us and she will help guide us through each new day.
Karen was a member of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, where a memorial service will be held at a later date. Details of the service will be announced in the Kansas City Star.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Karen's memory to Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall, Kansas City, MO or to The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Karen Taylor Memorial Fund for Church Camp and Retreat Center, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS 66224. Cremation, with private interment in Graceland Cemetery, Creston, IA, at a later date.
A resident of Johnson County since 1948, she was born July 13, 1939 in Creston, Iowa to Walter Dean and Ramona (Van Velsan) Clayton. She graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in 1957 and enjoyed several careers throughout her life, retiring in 2007.
Karen is survived by her loving husband of almost 48 years, David W. Taylor; two daughters and their husbands, Sheryl and Gordon Bolton of Creston, IA, and Janet and Gary Goss of Leawood, KS. Karen is also survived by two sisters and their husbands, Raidene and Donald Sticken of Creston, IA and Jeannie and Bill Boothe of Climax Springs, MO. She leaves 4 grandchildren, Brian (wife Amy) Bolton, Rachael (husband Clint) Travis, Kevin (wife Stacie) Bolton, all of Creston, IA and Scott Goss of Alexandria, VA; 7 great-grandchildren, Kaden, Gavin and Emma Bolton and Jacob, Gracie, Luke and Caleb Travis, all of Creston, IA, and several nieces and nephews. Karen was preceded in death by her parents. She loved her family and friends dearly! Karen was a lady in every way with a very kind heart and modest manner. She had a passion for life and set a wonderful example of how to live life and treat others.
Karen was committed to serving others as a tutor for Literacy Kansas City, serving on the Board of Directors for Oakshire in Overland Park, Kansas, and as a member of the Hand Bell Choir and volunteer at Church of the Resurrection. She was an avid learner who believed in keeping young by learning new things, such as tap dancing, tai chi, playing the recorder, and wool rug hooking. She loved music, reading, shopping for shoes, spending time with friends and family and thought it was fun to be a girl! Karen's accomplishments include playing the Mormon Tabernacle pipe organ in 1976, receiving the Highest Award for Achievement from the Dale Carnegie Course in 2005, and she was an important member of the Shawnee Mission High Class of 1957 50th Year Reunion Committee where she took great pride in creating and maintaining the class reunion web site. Karen was a precious wife, a cherished mother, a very loving grandmother and great-grandmother, and a dear friend.. Our loss will never be overcome but we will carry her spirit with us and she will help guide us through each new day.
Karen was a member of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, where a memorial service will be held at a later date. Details of the service will be announced in the Kansas City Star.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Karen's memory to Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall, Kansas City, MO or to The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Karen Taylor Memorial Fund for Church Camp and Retreat Center, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS 66224. Cremation, with private interment in Graceland Cemetery, Creston, IA, at a later date.
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