Karen Louise Parker was born on July 12, 1945 in Wichita, Kansas to Edwin Franklin and Mayme E. (Tomb) Wenzel and was an only child. She attended school in Wichita until the family moved to Idaho. This is where she graduated from Borah Senior High in Boise with the class of 1963 and then went on to attend two years of college.

Upon returning to Wichita, Karen graduated from Women's Business College. Karen worked many years in the printing business. Then she was a baby sitter and nanny before working as a cashier for the Harper Theatre.

Karen attended and was baptized in the Presbyterian Church but later became a member of the United Methodist Church. Karen was a member of Geneva Group in the late 1960s and this is where she met Lloyd Emery Parker. A year and a half later the two were united in marriage on October 16, 1971 in the United Methodist Church in Wichita. The two made their home in Harper. After her job with the theatre, she dedicated a lot of her time to the Parker family farm by helping her mother-in-law.

A devoted member of the church in Harper, Karen loved attending services and always looked forward to Tuesday Morning Bible Study. She enjoyed being a board member of and helping the Harper Mission Mart. Karen really enjoyed children even though she never had any of her own. She was talented in making ceramic articles. And there was a special love she had for squirrels, taking delight in watching them eat from the feeders in her yard.

On August 25, 2017, Karen passed away in a hospital in Wichita, Kansas. Preceding her in death are her parents, Edwin and Mayme. She is survived by her husband, Lloyd of the home; sister-in-law, Linda Parker of Bloomington, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Dale Davis of Wichita, Kansas; uncle, Virgil Wenzel of Hutchinson, Kansas; many cousins; other relatives and friends.

Friends may register and view from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Harper.

Memorials can be made out to the Harper Mission Mart and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Funeral Service is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at the Harper United Methodist Church with Pastor Wes Young officiating. Interment will follow at the Harper Cemetery.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th ~ Harper, Kansas 67058 is in charge of arrangements.