Obituary of Karen Anderson

Karen Ruth Anderson, daughter of Carl and Ruth (Bergquist) Anderson was born April 8, 1948 in Salina, Kansas. She was brought to the Lord in holy baptism and in childhood and youth was reared in the Christian faith in the home and in the Covenant Church of Smolan, Kansas where she was confirmed in 1960 and joined the church. She transferred her membership to First Covenant Church, Salina when the Smolan church closed its doors. She loved children and served faithfully in the church nursery. As a babysitter, her quiet spirit won the love of many children in the church and community, many of whom… now have children of their own. Karen was proud to be a farm girl. She enjoyed taking pictures, especially scenery photos including old barns. She enjoyed her flowers, both inside and out. She was especially fond of cats, which is still evident in the many cat knick knacks on display throughout her home. Karen attended grade school at Smolan, graduated from Lindsborg Rural High School with the class of 1966. She graduated from Kansas State University, with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development. As a State of Kansas employee, she worked in Salina's Child Support Division of the SRS Office, retiring with 38 years of service in 2011. She loved to travel. There were many places in Kansas that she researched and then with camera in hand she and friends would go check it out. California, Washington, New York, Canada, England, Scandinavia were some of the places she visited. In 2006, she and a friend took the Route 66 tour, traveling through many states, stopping along the way to check out tourist attractions. She collected post cards in her travels and enjoyed receiving post cards from friends. They were kept in an album and she enjoyed re-reading the messages that had been sent to her. Karen enjoyed corresponding with friends, either by mail or telephone, and always remembered birthdays and anniversaries. Cookbooks she has collected fill many shelves in her home. Many were from area churches and organizations while most were probably chosen carefully at garage sales. Cookie cutters of hearts, flowers, cats, Christmas trees, stars, etc. -- you name it and she probably had it! She loved to make rolled out sugar cookies and decorated them with colored frosting and sprinkles for specific seasons or occasions, often sharing a plate of cookies with friends. A Valentine from Karen often came as a frosted heart cookie. As a member of the hospitality committee, she baked cookies and delivered them to new families who visited the church. Karen had a keen interest in history. She had a gift of remembering dates and details of family history and historical events. Reading the newspaper with a scissor in one hand was a common sight. The articles she clipped were either sent to friends or stored in albums, readily found when the topic came up in conversation. Karen was a loving sister and aunt. Of the many hobbies and interests she had, her three nephews, Michael, Garrett, and Braden were at the top of her list. She took a special interest in their activities in school and sports, attending most of their home games, music concerts, plays, etc. Karen reached the close of her earthly life on August 11, 2013 when the Lord summoned her to her eternal rest to share in the Heavenly Home of the Redeemed. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert Anderson. She is survived by her brother, Marvin Anderson, Salina, Kansas; nephews: Michael (Betsy) Anderson, Warren, Arkansas, Garrett Anderson, Goslar, Germany, and Braden Anderson, Salina, Kansas; Double Cousins; Leland (Patsy) Anderson and LaVonne (Jim) Farney; cousins: Bart Bergquist, Carlisle (Geri) Bergquist, Rev. Dan (Meta) Anderson, Jane (Jose) Perez, Janice (Bob) Beckham, Anita (Craig) Johnson, Joe (Laura) Bergquist, MaraBeth Soneson, Eric (Linda) Bergquist, and Emil (Ralene) Bergquist and a host of friends. Visitation will be Friday, August 16, from 4-7 p.m. with family present from 6-7 p.m. at Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg. A Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 17, at 10:00 a.m. at First Covenant Church in Salina, with burial following at Mission Hill Cemetery, Smolan. Memorials may be designated to the church or Mission Hill Cemetery in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington, PO Box 386, Lindsborg, KS 67456. Online condolences at www.ChristiansFuneralHome.com