Born January 11, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of Elaine Kubin Thompson and the late Leonard Thompson.
Karen is survived by her partner, Dennis Earnest, who cared for her deeply and brought her great happiness in her final years. She was proud of her children: Stacy (Trale) Patterson; John Henderson; Michael Henderson (Courtney Rohe); Robert Henderson; and Christine (Travis) Everson. She cherished being “Grandma” to Dylan, A.J., and Connor; “Granny” to Emery; and “Grandma Hedakison” to Noah and Morgan.
Karen embraced the joys of everyday life—she loved crafting, thrifting, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family—and she was always up for a game of Yahtzee.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, Charles Alton Henderson, and her daughter-in-law, Lorena Saldivar Henderson, wife of John Henderson. She is also survived by her sisters Carolyn Thompson Lang, Kimberly Thompson Wayne, Judith Thompson Garner, and Donna Thompson Harris.
At Karen’s request, no services will be held. She would want us to share a laugh and raise a glass in celebration of her journey home.
