Karen Julie (Ford) Palmer, 75, passed into the arms of Jesus on the evening of August 7, 2026. She had been living with and fighting lung cancer since 2022. She will be a dearly missed wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, grandmother, teacher, and friend.
Born on January 17, 1951, Karen was the eldest of three children. She and her siblings grew up in Toledo, Ohio. She graduated from Whitmer High School, Miami University (Ohio), and the University of Louisville, earning degrees in sports and education.
She went on to teach elementary Physical Education for over twenty years. While teaching at Greathouse Shryock Elementary School in 1993, she was named Kentucky PE Teacher of the Year.
After retirement from teaching, she applied herself joyfully in volunteering positions, the PTA, retail work, travel adventures, and her favorite, Jazzercise, where she worked as an instructor until 2021. She continued to dance with her Jazzercise community until two weeks before she passed.
Karen is survived by her adoring husband of 42 years, Mitch Palmer, as well as her children, Julie (Joshua) and Michael. She is also survived by her sister, Christine (John), and one granddaughter, Sylvie. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Jane Ford, as well as her brother, Glenn.
She now joyfully rests in the arms of her Savior, Jesus.
A Memorial Visitation will be held at Arch L. Heady & Son Funeral Home, 7410 Westport Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40222, on Friday, August 14th, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
A Memorial Service will take place at Northeast Christian Church, Venue B, Main Office Building, 9900 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40241, on Saturday, August 15th, 2026, at 2:00 pm.
