Karen Mae Kennedy

June 23, 1942 — December 30, 2025

Parker, KS

Karen Mae Kennedy, age 83, of Parker, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Richmond Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Richmond, Kansas.

Karen was born June 23, 1942, in Parker, Kansas. She was the second of six children born to Ralph and Ollie Mae (Bledsoe) Nickell. Karen grew up in Parker and attended local schools.

Following high school, Karen married Gerald Davison. Two children, David and Penny, were born to this union. The couple later divorced. On March 25, 1966, Karen was united in marriage to Wilbur Kennedy. To this marriage, four daughters were born: Dawn, Ida, Sarah, and Amy. Together, and for 35 years until the passing of Wilbur in 2001, they made their home in Parker, Kansas.

Over the years, Karen worked for several small businesses, where she served as a bookkeeper and managed office work. In her free time, she enjoyed cross-stitching, playing pitch, and working crossword puzzles.

Karen was loved everywhere she lived and truly was a light to those around her. Known for her sense of humor, she was a jokester and proudly ornery, often bringing laughter and warmth to family and friends.

Karen was baptized at a young age and was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, holding membership in several congregations until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur; her parents, Ralph and Ollie Mae Nickell; and three brothers, Ralph Nickell, Gary Nickell, and Kelly Nickell.

Survivors include her children, David (Christine) Davison, Penny (Melvin) Holloman, Dawn (Matthew) Wendt, Ida (Kenneth) Trammell, Sarah (Rob) Ball, and Amy (Jeff) Schaffer; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Phyllis Mundell and Sherry McCorkell.

Karen’s family will forever cherish her loving spirit, quick wit, and the joy she brought into their lives. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Birchard Funeral Home, 203 Main Street, Osawatomie, Kansas.

(Published in the Linn County Journal on January 1, 2026.)