Karen was born in 1940 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As a young girl, Karen enjoyed shopping with her mother and swinging on the tree swing her father put in one of the large Mulberry trees in their backyard. She graduated from Washington High School in 1958 and married James Harford in 1959. She left her job as a supervisor at the telephone company to start a family, moving to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1970. Always wanting to stay busy, Karen balanced raising a family with pursuing a degree in nutrition from Southeast Community College. This led to being the food service manager at Holmes Elementary School. She finished her professional career working in the accounting department at Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.
Karen cherished her roles in life as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Daily, she would seem to find ways to extend kindness and compassion to those in need, placing their needs before her own, whether it be a visit, conversation, prepared meal, or simply a cup of coffee. The kitchen was a source of joy for Karen, as she loved to cook and bake. She of course learned from her mother, with whom she was extremely close. It brought her immense happiness to share this joy and talent in the kitchen with each of her granddaughters.
Over the years, Karen had numerous interests, including ceramics, knitting, crocheting, gardening, reading, playing the organ and piano, traveling, and exercising. For a period of time, she and James were part-owners of Leisure Crafts, a ceramic store they founded and where Karen taught ceramic lessons. She found the most joy, though, in simply spending time with James and her family and in being a humble, faithful servant of God. Married for over 61 years, she and Jim were inseparable and active in their church community.
Karen is survived by her husband James Harford; sons Kevin (Sonia) Harford and Jeffrey (Denise) Harford; granddaughters Lauren (Seth) Reighard, Kallie Harford, Michaela Harford, and Anna Harford; brother David Clark (Mary Lue) of Arkansas; nephew Michael (Lana) Clark of Florida; and niece Kimberli Clark of Illinois. She is preceded in death by her parents Vernon and Irene Clark.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at First Evangelical Free Church, 3280 S. 84th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska with a graveside service to follow at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. In accordance with local health measures, face coverings are necessary and social distancing will be in place.
For those who are unable to attend the funeral service in person, the service is being livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/864932.
As an expression of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.
