Karen Kay Johnson

Services for Karen Kay Johnson (51) will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas. Interment will follow in Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until Service Time on Tuesday at the Funeral Home.

Karen was born on February 2, 1961 in Kansas City, Kansas to Henry and Ida Harris. She was the fourth of five children.

Karen was baptized at an early age at Stony Point Christian Church in Kansas City, Kansas.

Karen graduated from F. L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kansas in 1979. She worked as a seamstress until her health failed her in 1999. During her time as a seamstress, she most enjoyed making jackets and overalls for her father and husband. Thereafter, she became a stay at home mom, to the delight of her children.

Karen was married to her high school sweetheart, Leon F. Johnson, on May 14, 1979. They spent their first years of holy matrimony in Germany, where Leon was stationed by the military. Karen enjoyed the sight-seeing she was able to do while living in Germany. Traveling with her husband by motorcycle across country to Paris, Berlin, Luxemburg, Belgium, Amsterdam, and Austria was among Karen’s favorite memories in the early 1980s. She was a supportive wife who always stood by her husband’s side.

Returning to the states in the mid-1980s, Karen gave birth to two daughters: Rachel and Erica. She was a devoted mother who loved her children unconditionally and maintained extremely close relationships with both of her daughters throughout her life. Her daughters affectionately refer to her as their “best friend.”

Karen enjoyed a variety of activities including spending time with her family and animals, gardening, laughing, writing, reading, listening to 80’s music, fishing, watching screen plays, taking walks, riding the motorcycle with her husband, dancing with her daughters, watching her grandson play, singing along to her husband playing the piano, cooking, and sitting outside on her swing enjoying the scenery and warm weather.

Karen Kay Johnson went home to be with the Lord on Oct 2, 2012. Karen’s parents and two nephews preceded her in death.

Karen will be remembered most for her infectious laugh and kind nature.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband of 33 years, Leon F. Johnson; daughters, Rachel Johnson and Erica Coates (Immanuel); grandchild, Xanden Johnson; sisters, Martha Nilges (Alan) and Ruth Nilges (Dale); brothers, Tom Harris and Daniel Harris; along with a host of beloved nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.chapelhill-butler.com, as service arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street in Kansas City, Kansas (913) 334-3366.