Karen Gardner, 82 of Butler, Missouri passed away October 13, 2024 at her home in Butler. A graveside service will be held 1:00 pm Friday, October 18, 2024 at Smith Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Educational Foundation or the Bates County Health Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
Karen Kay Smith Gardner was born
January 14, 1942 in Butler, MO to Buford "Bum" Smith and Louise Burke
Smith, the oldest of four children.
Karen grew up
on the family farm east of Butler and spent her days playing in the creek,
working in the fields with her dad, cooking for thrashers, getting sent to her
room with sister Martina for laughing at the dinner table. This laughing and
talking continued in high school, and she was sent to the hallway, which she
loved--MORE people to talk to!
As an adult,
Karen had many jobs. She worked at Butler State Bank; was a stay-at-home mom
while running MFA Oil bulk delivery service; drove a bus and a gas truck;
worked as a florist; taught Sunday school at both Ohio Street United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church; was a checker at Price Chopper; balanced the
Butler R-V School District's books "to the penny", something of which
she was very proud. She retired in 2006.
In retirement,
she did not just sit around doing nothing. She babysat grandkids, volunteered
at Pantry Thrift Store and the food pantry. She baked countless chocolate chip
cookies for family and friends. She was a master at breads and rolls, chocolate
sheet cake, cooking in general. Karen's fried chicken in her huge cast iron
skillet was a family favorite. She enjoyed gardening and attending garden club.
Her yard had a variety of flowers that all grew well because she tended them
when able and had a very green thumb! She enjoyed sewing and was the family
mender. If your jeans had holes "Meme can fix it!"! Pillowcases were
also a specialty. Everyone in the family has a quilt made specifically for them
by her because she was a master quilter as well. There were few things she
couldn't do or figure out. Karen was always current on politics and loved to
discuss them....and definitely had strong opinions!
More than
anything, she loved Jesus. Though she battled MS for years, she put her trust
in Him and continued on....and the days were long and difficult. Karen was
stubborn and strong-willed and persevered anyway. Her family declares her
victorious over that horrible disease. She read and studied her Bible daily.
Many family events, big and small, were recorded in her Bible. Some days family
members would get texts about things that had happened 'on this day'. Those,
and she, will be missed.
Her girls and
their guys and grandkids were the loves of her life, and they knew, without a
doubt, that they were loved.... always. Karen always wanted to know how
everyone was doing, and she was the family prayer warrior after the passing of
Grannie. She was the very best mom, Meme, big sister, and friend.
On October 13,
2024, a beautiful fall day, Karen met her Jesus face to face and was reunited
with her mom and dad, who precede her in death, as well as her nephew, Darren
Gilmore. Though her family is heartbroken, they are so, so thankful for a nap
in her chair, with her best dog Buster, watching football....that turned into
laughing and talking with Jesus and her people. Thank you, Jesus!
Karen is
survived by her faithful companion and rescue dog, Buster; two daughters: Lora
(Hugh) Gustin, Butler, MO and Nancy (Landon) Simons, Ft. Scott, KS; five
grandchildren: Sydney Cullison and Kinsey Simons, Ft. Scott, KS, "Main
Man" Hayes Gustin, Caden Gustin, and Trey (Taylor) Gustin, Butler; two
great-granddaughters: RaeLynn and Lorynn Gustin.
Also surviving are Karen's
favorite siblings: Martina (Walter) Gilmore, Anita Smith, and baby brother, Jim
Smith, all of Butler. Nieces and nephews: Elizabeth (Jeff) Cox and boys,
Cordell, Jake, Burke, and Reid; Curtis (Brenda) Gilmore and daughter, Adelyn
Knipp; Zephaniah (Haylee) Smith and children, Brayden, Olivia, and Luke;
Casinda Smith, Adrian, MO