Karen Lynn Richardson

Karen was born July 4, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she was raised as the 3rd of 5 children. Karen married Rick Richardson in 1964, and they moved to Denver, Colorado that same year. Just a few days into 1965, and at just 19 years old, Karen and Rick were both severely burned in a house fire. Both courageously recovered after several months in the hospital.

Karen loved Colorado and the mountains. Colorado became home for Karen, returning to Minnesota for only short visits. Karen and her best friend, Dixie, who met while both working at Target and then working together for many more years at Cobe Laboratories, both loved car rides through the mountains to look at the scenery, to see the changing of the Aspens, to take short hikes to places like Hidden Lake, and sight-seeing whenever family visited from Minnesota, taking trips to California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Hawaii. Karen also enjoyed bowling, playing Bunco with the girls each month, going swimming at the rec center, playing Bingo, and watching Bronco games.

Karen will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Karen’s family ask that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life not the sadness of her passing.

Karen is survived by daughters Sheila Barrows and Lori (Corey) Johnson, both of Littleton; grandchildren Joseph (Amanda) Barrows of Denver, Kassidy (Addam) Page of Parker, Chasyn Johnson and Konrad Johnson, both of Littleton; and her beloved senior golden retriever, Hope, who was at her side nearly every minute of the last 5+ years. Karen adored being a Gigi to great-grandchildren Adeline, Avery, Brentley, Brooklynn, and Damien.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Kenny and Dottie Cheney, and siblings Randi, Mary Kae, and Dennis. She is survived by one brother, Steve, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life for Karen will be held Friday, March 14, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM with a reception to follow from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary - Pavilion of Reflection, 7777 West 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."

— Audrey Hepburn