Karen Lea Mask

Karen Lea Mask, beloved mother, Grammy, and friend to so many, passed away peacefully in Edmond, Oklahoma on January 3, 2026, at the age of 81. Karen was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on December 21, 1944. She was an only child and attended grade school and junior high in Corpus Christi before moving to Norman, Oklahoma. Karen graduated from Norman High School in 1962. She went on attend the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of Tassels, Mortar Board, and was named one of the Outstanding Senior Women. She was also a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.

Karen graduated in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree of science in Physical Therapy. She continued with her education at the University of Oklahoma, earning a master’s degree in Health Administration in 1970. Using these degrees, she worked at University Hospital in Oklahoma City, St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa, taught at the University of Oklahoma School of Physical Therapy, and worked part-time for the Oklahoma State Health Department as a Medicare consultant. Karen met Dennis Raye Mask in 1966 at the University of Oklahoma Medical School Library, and they were married on December 7, 1968. There were married for 47 years until his death in 2015. Karen and Dennis began their marriage together in Oklahoma City before establishing their lives in Edmond. Karen embraced the role of “boy mom” and raised three rambunctious boys and fulfilled the titles of soccer mom, tennis mom, football mom, basketball mom, and karate mom! She had a great sense of humor and was a second mom to many of the Tall Oaks neighborhood boys.

Karen was a very busy and very social woman throughout her life! She was the President of the County and State Medical Society, member of Edmond Women’s Club, Garden Club, Investment Club, Representative of University of Oklahoma Leadership Board, volunteer for “Kids on the Block” for Edmond Public Schools, and chaired the 50th Anniversary Celebration for the alumni board of physical therapy. Karen was a longtime member of Henderson Hills Baptist Church and loved her small group/community group. She loved OU football, gardening, was an avid reader, and had an absolute love of shopping. Karen was the queen of finding deals, had a room full of presents for people, and was the first one to check out the new restocks on Tuesday at TJ Maxx! One of the greatest roles in life was that of being Grammy to her nine grandchildren. Karen loved and enjoyed each grandchild for their unique personalities. She loved shopping with and for her four granddaughters, as well as watching and supporting her five grandsons’ sporting events.

Karen and Dennis both grew up as only children. She loved her tight knit family and always planned family gatherings for holidays and birthdays to get her whole family together.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Ruby Mae and Leland Black, as well as her step-mother Wilma Black, her in-laws John and Faye Mask, and her beloved husband, Dennis Mask. She is survived by her sons and their families: Dennis (Denny) Mask Jr. and his wife, Cindy, of Edmond; Derek Mask and his wife, Nichole, of Norman; and Daniel Mask and his wife, Kim, of Edmond. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Denny Mask III; Christyn Barnes and her husband, Blake; Cassidy Hilton and her husband, Tanner; Grayson Mask; Saylor Mask; Rhyan Mask; Reynolds Mask; Avery Mask; and Brody Mask; and by her great-grandson, Brooks Barnes. She is also survived by two step-sisters, Linda Calloway and Amelia Beck. Karen leaves behind countless friends, many who she considered family, and many other loved ones whose lives she touched.

A visitation will be held at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper, located at 6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK, 73116, on January 7, 2026, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will take place at New Covenant Church, located at 2700 S Blvd, Edmond, OK, 73013, on January 8, 2026, starting at 1:00 pm.