Karen Leigh (Lockhart) Hethershaw died peacefully with family present just before noon on October 6, 2024. She successfully fought five cancers over 15 years and early this year developed dementia. At age 85, she simply ran out of resources.
She was God’s example of the kind of person we all should be, nurturing, caring, kind, giving unselfishly and friendly to all. Karen made it a point to remember important life events. There will be many people who will miss getting her birthday and anniversary cards.
She and Ron enjoyed camping and birding with family and friends – starting in a tent when their son John was a year old and ending with a comfortable fifth-wheel trailer. She also loved visiting different countries, including Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Greece, and others. Also, over a period of forty years, she and Ron flew to many places with Ron at the controls.
Karen was born on November 29, 1938, in Grinnell, Iowa- but she lived most of her premarital life in Des Moines. Karen graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957 and attended Drake University for a year. In 1960 she married her high school sweetheart, Ron Hethershaw, then a senior at Iowa State University. There, she worked as secretary for the Director of the Atomic Energy Commission’s Ames Lab – which produced 1,000 tons of purified uranium for the top-secret Manhattan Project.
She also worked as the principal’s secretary at Bammel Middle School and in the Administration Building in the Spring School District, 1974 to 1986.
Her parents were John W. (Jack) Lockhart and Lucille D. Lockhart (Gwin). Karen is survived by her adoring husband Ronald John Hethershaw and their children, John Joseph Hethershaw and Susan Jo Hethershaw Epperson (Gary). Karen and Ron have five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Karen is also survived by her brother Ray W. Lockhart and his wife Carol of Elko New Market, MN, along with numerous nephews, grand nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Conroe, Texas at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
Please consider making a memorial donation in Karen’s name to one or more of the following:
MD Anderson Cancer Center (www.mdanderson.org)
First Presbyterian Church of Conroe (www.fpcconroe.org)
Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyhouston.org/Houston/Conroe)
Charity of your choice
