Karen Lee Evans

Karen Lee Evans was born September 1st, 1956 to Russell Richard Ferguson and Dorothy Lee (Kenagy) Ferguson. She was born in Clarinda, Iowa but her family soon moved to Red Oak, Iowa and then to Urbandale, Iowa when she was 5 years old.

 Karen graduated from Urbandale High School in 1974. She went on to graduate from the American Institute of Business with a degree in Court Reporting. She began her career as a court reporter in a local district court. She later joined a law firm as a legal assistant. While living in Iowa, she was active in the West Des Moines United Methodist Church teaching Sunday School, volunteering for bible school and sat on various committees.

 After moving to Olathe, Kansas in 1987, and being a stay-at-home Mom for 7 years, Karen decided to return to the work force in 1988. She joined a sorority for educators as an Administrator. After a few years, she decided to rejoin the legal field as a legal assistant. After a couple years, she joined Right Management Consultants, where she became the Operations Manager overseeing their offices in Overland Park and Wichita, Kansas; as well as Omaha, Nebraska. In the year 2000, she was presented with an opportunity to go to work for Huhtamaki Americas. She performed many duties including HR Assistant, Fleet Manager and Relocation Coordinator (moving employees domestically and internationally). She retired from Huhtamaki Americas in 2014.

 Always one to find ways to give back to the community, Karen became involved in Cub Scouts and other activities involving her son Brent; such as keeping score at ball games and volunteering at his elementary school. She did volunteer work for Special Olympics, Olathe Hospice, New Hope Food Pantry and the Food Ministry Program at the Center of Grace. She even helped her husband organize Charity Corvette shows while he was an officer of the Kansas City Corvette Association. She also taught Junior Achievement Classes to elementary students, always seeking to teach at the school having the most under privileged children. She felt they needed the most help.

 But, the most important thing in Karen’s life was her family. She spent as much time as possible with her Grandsons. She would say the best part of retirement was the opportunity to spend time with her Grandsons multiple times a week. She felt very fortunate to have a loving daughter-in-law who welcomed her to spend a lot of time with her Grandsons.

 Karen is survived by her loving Husband, Brian, her son Brent Evans (Jennifer) of Overland Park, Kansas, her Grandsons Owen and Ben Evans, her Brother-In-Law & Sister-In-Law, Roger & Cathi Hackbarth, as well as many cousins and extended family members.

 Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Dorothy Ferguson.

 Memorials are suggested to Ascend Hospice, 783 NE Anderson Lane, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064; or to the Center of Grace, Attn: Food Ministry, 520 South Harrison, Olathe, Kansas 66061.

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