Karen A. Williams

Karen was born August 5, 1944, to Alice and Frank Haskard and grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas. After graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1962, Karen attended Hutchinson Junior College and then the University of Kansas. While at KU, she met the love of her life, Bill Williams of Overland Park Kansas. Karen and Bill married in 1965 and enjoyed 59 years of beautiful marriage as best friends.

Karen's family was her passion and joy in life. She and Bill raised their two beloved children, Jennifer and Steve, in Lenexa and then Shawnee, Kansas. Karen was the best mom and loved attending and supporting Jenny and Steve at their childhood baseball games, softball games, soccer matches, dance recitals, drill team performances, and tennis matches. Karen also treasured their family vacations to the Lake of the Ozarks, skiing in Colorado, and especially annual trips to the beach in the Florida Panhandle.

Karen loved her grandchildren, Brooklyn, AJ and Dash, and following their baseball, tennis and horse riding activities. She particularly loved celebrating with them at birthday parties, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Love of family was rooted in Karen's close relationships with her three siblings, kid brother Kent, older brother Donald and older sis Donna Jean. Karen and her beloved siblings enjoyed both supporting each other growing up as kids and then becoming lifelong friends as adults.

Besides treasuring family, Karen also loved her pet cats over the years from Bubblegum to sweet Maggie. Karen enjoyed flower and plant gardening, bike rides, long walks and fun day trips with Bill, and of course singing along with her favorite Elvis Presley songs while at home or in the car.

As an adult, Karen went back to KU and received her B.A. Degree and then a Master's Degree in Women's Studies. Karen was always an advocate for gender equality and Women's issues. She enjoyed rooting for her Kansas Jayhawks and all things Kansas City.

Karen's upbeat energy was always so fun to be around. Everyone will always fondly remember her joyful dancing and singing when entering a room whether at home or at the beach. Her beautiful smile would light up the room. Whether you were five or 75, Karen would joyfully call you kiddo and it made you feel so good. She always wrote the most heartfelt and meaningful thank you notes that touched your soul and made you feel so appreciated. Karen was fun loving, so fun to be with and had the greatest laugh. She will be greatly missed by so many friends and family.

Karen is survived by husband Bill Williams of Windsor; daughter Jenny Williams of Atlanta, Georgia and her partner Bryan White; son Steve Williams of Berthoud, Colorado, his wife Melissa, and their children Brooklyn, AJ, and Dash; sister Donna Jean McAlister of Salmon Arm, British Columbia (Canada); brother Donald Haskard of Hutchinson and his wife Ila; brother Kent Haskard of Portland, Oregon and his wife Alexa; and brother-in-law Jack Williams of Medford, Oregon and his wife Cindy; as well as many beloved nephews and nieces.

A private memorial service will be held for family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Karen's honor to the American Cancer Society or NOCO Humane Society (animal shelter for Larimer and Weld County, Colorado). Treasured memories of Karen and words of condolence for her family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.