Karen Adele Shank was born in Emporia, KS on December 4th, 1940 to Emmett Hoffman Shank and Florence Elinor (Issitt) Shank. She passed away at home on May 6th, 2023 with her daughters by her side.
She was born a farm girl raised in the Buckeye community and Navarre, KS, graduating with the class of 1959 at Dickinson County Country Community High School in Chapman, KS. She was baptized and was active as a young woman in the Navarre Church of the Brethren and became a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Abilene as an adult. Karen’s love for her family was first and foremost, especially for her two grandchildren, Trista Lee and Garrett. “Mema” never failed to attend Trista’s vocal or theater performances or Garrett’s sporting events, bringing her famous cinnamon rolls and Texas sheet brownies to all his baseball games. She also brought in her mother to care for her in aging years. Karen taught piano lessons for many years for children, except her kids who hated practicing that dreadful instrument. Karen had a lifelong passion for competitive sports. Her favorite season was football and her favorite team was the Kansas City Chiefs celebrated all three super bowl wins with her daughters. She loved watching KU basketball and college sports in general. Karen loved to play golf in her healthier times and still showed fascination with the sport, watching the telecast of PGA tournaments and Tiger Woods. Karen also loved her beautiful lush green law, flowers, and gardening. She also loved her poodles. Her puppies brought her so much joy and companionship her entire life. She loved celebrating holidays with her family, playing games and eating green chili. Karen had a funny sense of humor, creating laugher during family gatherings, always poking fun at herself. Karen worked in insurance for over 25 years and she said she hated every minute of it; except for her customers who would often stop by her office at Gemmill, Gugler & Garten Insurance to swap funny stories or just to chat. Karen’s lifelong battle with Polycystic Renal disease brought her to dialysis in May of 2022 where she met a group of wonderful nursing staff who became her friends and provided additional emotional support for her. She truly loved visiting on the phone with lifelong best friend Charlene Crooks and her favorite sister-in-law Dee Parrish. As a mom or mother-in-law she never failed to “share” her advice or her opinions. It is debatable to whether or not her children listened or tuned it out. Either way she raised her children to be strong and independent. “Mema”, as she was known to her grandchildren, became an endearing name she was called by. “Mema” provided a loving environment in the early years for Eleen and Anna Holt, whom she thought of as her great-grandchildren. “Mema” will be missed by her family, friends and anyone who had the privilege to know this truly funny lady.
She is survived by her daughters; Cythia Stone and husband Patrick, Michelle Heroeme husband Steven, all of Abilene, and Claudette Lehmann, of Houston, TX; Grandchildren, Trista Lee Stone and husband Nathan Preston, Garrett Krause and wife Brittany, all of Overland Park, KS, Kyle Heroneme and wife Laura; Great grandson Mason of Eudora, KS; brother, Roger Shank of Texas and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Emmett; mother, Florence and brother, RIchard whom she adored.
May you rest in peace “Mema”. We all love you and will be celebrating with you again. GO CHIEFS!
A visitation will be held Friday at the Danner Funeral Home in Abilene from 12:00pm to 8:00pm where the family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 7:00.
Memorial contributions can be made to Meals on Wheels in care of the funeral home at 501 N, Buckeye, Abilene 67410.
A private family inurnment will take place at a later date.