Karen Jean Stegall

Karen Jean Stegall was born in Sterling, KS on October 19, 1942 to Jean Berry Swartz and Daniel Valentine Swartz. She was born into a family of educators and very much embodied the classy and proper nature of her mother. Karen had one sister, Susie. Karen and Susie completed high school in Great Bend, Kansas; Karen then went off to Emporia State to earn her B.A. in education; she also joined and enjoyed the sisterhood of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. It was there that she met the love of her life, Steve E. Stegall. Steve grew up in Sublette, KS hailing from a family of farmers. They were married in Great Bend, KS on August 11, 1963.

Following their college graduation, Karen and Steve both secured teaching positions in Rawlins, WY. Karen taught second grade and Steve taught high school social studies. After three years in Rawlins, they moved to Denver and continued their teaching careers. Deciding to earn Master’s Degrees, they applied to Western State and earned their degrees in the summertime, living in a camper and fishing when they weren’t in class. Karen supported Steve in his studies, ensuring that he completed his work.

They built a home in Northglenn, CO and Karen gave birth to two feisty daughters, Tracy and Tina. Karen and Steve decided that she would stay home to raise them… but she was bored! Of note, Karen developed her own skills in tole painting, the folk art of decorative painting on tin and wooden utensils, objects and furniture. She then used her incredible skills as an early childhood educator to teach adults how to paint in this same style. She held multiple classes each week around a big table in her home, gently guiding aspiring artists to create beauty in the world.

These skills translated into significant leadership roles with the Northglenn United Methodist Church Women’s Group that held a yearly Festival of the Trees. There was a yearly ornament, often co-designed by Karen, and many families are hanging these very ornaments on their Christmas trees this season. Karen also tutored students learning English and was very dedicated to ensuring her students knew they were cared for and had the skills to succeed. She loved her time with her bridge groups and as a member of P.EO.

In the early 1990’s, Karen and Steve were able to purchase a small cabin on the Big Thompson River outside of Estes Park; they loved sitting on the flagstone patio, watching the water go by. They also inherited/ acquired a condo in a retirement community- Fountain of the Sun- in Mesa, AZ.

When Steve retired in 1994, they began splitting their time between Colorado in the Summer and Fall and Mesa, AZ in the Winter and Spring. They built amazing connections and communities in both states (and across the country).

In the early 2000’s, Karen and Steve sold the house they built in Northglenn to “downsize”. Moving to Loveland, CO, they continued to build community and connection. They traveled extensively including amazing trips to the Bahamas, different parts of Europe, Hawaii, and more. They loved good drinks and good food with good people.

Karen was an incredible cook,the epitome of excellence as a hostess, and loved to laugh. She transitioned from this world into the next on November 16, 2024 following both complications from surgery and a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents and is survived by her husband of 61 years, Steve; her daughters Tracy (and partner, Christina) and Tina (and spouse, D); her sister, Susie Ragan; her nieces Alison Louis (Darrell) and Jenny Ragan; and her nephew John Selle (Maribeth). She is also survived by beloved family of choice, Vicki and Greg Lanyon, Debbi and Smokey Mortus and beloved grandchildren of choice, Amanda and Cody Mortus and their children.

A Celebration of Karen's Life will be held on Monday, November 25th, 2024 at 1:00pm at Resthaven Funeral Home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Please join Karen's family, following the service, for a light reception and a time of fellowship and remembrance.

Those that are not able to attend in person may do so virtually via livestream. A digital funeral program may be viewed here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/huvrw/hztm/#p=1

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice or to The House of Neighborly Service in Loveland, CO. Treasured memories of Karen and words of condolence for her family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.