Kim Elaine Donovan Karaff

Kim Donovan Karaff, 70, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away on October 17, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 18, 1955, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Judith Lichtwar. Kim grew up in Pleasant Valley, Missouri, the eldest of six children.

Kim graduated from Winnetonka High School in 1973 and married her husband, Gary Karaff, in 1978. They later welcomed a daughter, Sarah, and son, Mikal. The family moved throughout the Midwest during the 1980s and ’90s — small towns, big cities, and university communities — giving their children a true patchwork of Midwestern childhood experiences. They eventually settled back home, north of the river in Kansas City, MO. While raising her young children, Kim attended the University of Illinois, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English. She later attended Purdue University where she received her Master of Arts in Poetry.

Kim was a talented writer and an avid book lover. Her primary career was as an English professor for various community colleges and universities, including Sinte Gleska University, a tribal college. She also wrote for a tribal newspaper and published various essays and journal articles about her experiences as a writing teacher. As her family traversed the Midwest, so did Kim’s collection of books, which required more boxes with every move.

Kim lost her mother to leukemia in 1964, when she was only nine years old. The ghost of that grief followed her throughout her life. It can be felt in her collection of poems, Each Slow Movement, which she published as her Master’s thesis. It could also be seen in the way she loved and raised her children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Kim had a gift for making the world meaningful and special for children and young adults— nurturing their interests, fostering play and imagination, and encouraging a love for art, literature, theatre, and culture. She was endlessly generous and very attuned to the needs of others.

Kim was bitingly intelligent, witty, sarcastic, and totally unique. She was always herself — unafraid to speak her mind, to stand by her values with unyielding self-confidence, to tell stories unapologetically, and to be a little weird. She believed passionately in social justice and in the power of using her voice for what was right. She approached life with curiosity, courage, and humor. She was a foundation for many — a steady, loving presence who inspired others to live a life of resilience and authenticity.

Kim is survived by her husband Gary Karaff; her children Sarah Knepper (Andrew), and Mikal Karaff (Madeline); her beloved grandchildren Harrison and Maxwell; her brothers Dave Donovan (Terrie), Mark Donovan (Karen), James Donovan (Suzanne), Steve Donovan (Joni), and Fred Donovan (Priscilla); her stepmother Eleanor Kisha Donovan; nieces Adrienne Leone (Garon), Rachelle Caldwell (Matt), Mallina Donovan, Bridget Donovan, Grace Donovan, Sophie Donovan; nephews Levi Donovan and Malachi Donovan, and many grand-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Frederick Donovan and mother Judith Lichtwar, and many many cats – because, of course, there were cats.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Newcomer’s Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home (119 E. Franklin Street) in Liberty, MO. Family and friends are invited to a visitation at 3:00 pm prior to the service.

Her family welcomes memories and condolences at ChurchArcherPasley.com.