Karen Kay Karst passed into the hands of her Lord on March 29, 2024 in Oklahoma City at the age of 83. She was born August 11, 1940 to Conrad and Nima Krom in Great Bend, Kansas. She grew up in the neighboring farmland community of Galatia, Kansas, where she attended grade school and graduated from Otis Rural High School.
She met her lifelong love Wayne D. Karst and they were united in marriage on September 7, 1958. Following marriage, they moved to Hays, KS where their son Darren Wayne was born. Two years later, they moved to Pratt, Kansas where their daughter Lori Diane was born. In 1966, the family moved to Great Bend, Kansas. While living there, Karen was employed in administration of the Great Bend Manor Nursing Home for twelve years. In 1981, through Wayne's employment, the family moved to Oklahoma City. There, Karen was employed for seven years for Dr. Richard Traczyk as office assistant and podiatric assistant.
Karen was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pratt, Kansas, Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend, Kansas, and Our Lord's Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers Melvin Krom and LeRoy Krom, both of Great Bend, Kansas.
She is survived by her loving husband, Wayne of the home, a son, Darren Karst and wife Terri of Lake Forest, Illinois, daughter Lori Oltmanns and husband Kevin of Stillwater, Oklahoma, as well as four precious grandchildren and their spouses, Sarah Karst of Chicago, IL, Michael (and Amy) Oltmanns of Norman, OK, Kristin (and Eddie) Flood of Lake Forest, IL, and Carly (and Andy) Nix of Edmond, OK. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on April 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Our Lord's Lutheran Church, 2900 West Hefner Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73120. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lord's Lutheran Church or the donor's choice. Interment will follow the service at Rose Hill Burial Park, Oklahoma City.
