Karen Denise Renfrow

Karen was the fourth child born of six children to Art and Mary Piburn on August 6th, 1956. She graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1974. Karen married John Renfrow, her high school sweetheart on June 17th, 1978. They had their first and only child, Corrie, in 1981.

Karen worked many years at Trinity Lutheran Hospital in the Cashiers Department and worked her way up to the accounts payable department. She finished her accounts payable career in 2010 at Health Care Associates, then worked at Hy-Vee from 2013 to 2018.

Her husband, John was a stock car auto racer at various dirt tracks in the Midwest. Karen enjoyed being a spectator and videographer at these events from 1978 to 1996. After that she spent many weekends supporting her daughter, Corrie in the various athletic activities she participated in. Around 2003 you would find Karen and her family once again at the racetrack when her two nephews picked up the hobby. There wasn’t a Friday night from April to October that you wouldn’t see Karen up in the stands at turn 2 recording each and every one of her nephew's races. It was a family affair every Friday night, and one that Karen enjoyed most in life.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Mary Piburn and her brother, David Piburn.

Karen is survived by her husband, John Renfrow; her daughter, Corrie (Jeff) Fritzemeyer; grandchildren, Zach Fritzemeyer and Aubrey Fritzemeyer; siblings, Jeannie (David) Anderson, Cathy Mortenson, Janice (Greg) Moen, and Johnny Piburn; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center, (P.O Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486) or MDAnderson.org/Gifts.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals at MD Anderson Cancer Center for their dedication to researching cancer treatments and giving Karen the last 7 wonderful years of her life.

A Celebration of Life for Karen will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 11 - 12 PM at White Chapel Funeral Home, (6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119), with a visitation from 10:30 - 11 AM.