Karen Charlene Zody

Born on August 11, 1944, Karen C. Zody passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, June 19, 2026, in Columbus, Indiana. Karen grew up in Story, Indiana (in Freeze Hollow) and was part of the first graduating class of Brown County High School in 1962. Karen was raised in a tight knit rural community and learned the meaning of hard work at an early age. She shared stories of milking cows before walking to school and making their own clothes. Despite humble beginnings, Karen went on to become a highly successful realtor in Brown County for many years, starting at Bob Galm Realty and then as the founding broker of Hills O’ Brown Realty (now Carpenter). Before that Karen worked for many years in administration at the Columbus Hospital. Karen cared deeply about her community and was involved in many charities and served on many boards, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Outside of work, Karen was a loving, supportive matriarch for her family including her three children, Craig Zody, Michael (Andie Bryce) Zody and Tracy (Steve) Blee and her nephew who was like a son, Phil Shively. Karen is survived by her sister Dian Turner and Dian’s partner Bud Seymour, and sisters in law Kathy Ayers and Tracey Ayers. Karen was an amazing grandmother to all her grandkids, Jeremiah Zody, Canyon Zody, Kindred Zody, Karma Zody, Griffin (Grace) Zody, Isaac Zody, Alex Zody, Spencer Blee and Allison Blee.

Karen was an avid horseback rider and camper, supporting Hoosier Back Country Horsemen for many years. Karen traveled extensively and loved a good site seeing excursion. For nearly 50 years Karen (and husband Tut before he passed) hosted an annual summer trip for extended family at Holden Beach, NC. Karen particularly loved being in the woods, either with a compass in her hand looking for property boundaries or hunting for morel mushrooms. She enjoyed all things IU sports and was delighted to watch the Hoosiers run the table and win the National Football Championship. Karen never met a stranger and always had a big circle of friends. She could often be found playing euchre and other card games with a lively crew.

Karen was the daughter of Burnell and Susie (Wilkerson) Ayers. She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years Clarence Melvin “Tut” Zody, sister Carol Caudill, brothers Roger Ayers and Danny Ayers.

Visitation will be at Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home, 1682 State Road 135 North, Nashville, Indiana, 47448, on Wednesday June 24, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, followed by a short memorial from 3:00 to 3:30 pm at the same facility.

Memorial contributions can be made to the “Clarence and Karen Zody Scholarship Fund” (#556) at the Brown County Community Foundation at www.browncountygives.org (go to donate to find the list of funds). This scholarship fund is focused on vocational and trade school, which Karen felt deserved as much support as college learning. https://browncounty.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1320

The family would like to give a special thank you to Karen’s care giver Tina Gibson who helped her navigate the last year of her life.