Karen was born in Kansas City, MO, the daughter of Russell & Ruth Kieffer, who were married in 1926 &
spent their first 17 yrs. of marriage saving to buy a dairy farm. After achieving their dream, the were blessed by a son, John Von Kieffer & a daughter, Karen Lee Kieffer. Sadly, Karen’s father passed away a mere 4 months after her birth. However, Karen’s Mother, vowing never to leave her 2 young children with a babysitter, founded a very successful company that employed as many as 120 housewives at one time.
Karen spent her childhood on the family’s farm in Raytown, MO, attending Raytown Schools K-12, and graduating in 1962 from Raytown HS. During high school, she was very actively involved in virtually every type of sport available to girls at that time, and performed on contrabass clarinet with the RHS Band.
After graduation, Karen attended business school & became a key punch operator. On Feb. 9, 1963, Karen was united in marriage with James Warren Smith, and their marriage was blessed with three children, Sherri, Kevin & Brandon.
The family first lived in the KC area, before purchasing a farm near Polo, MO, where their children attended school. In 1988, they purchased a farm, near Braymer, where their son, Brandon, graduated from Braymer HS Karen resided for the remainder of her life Karen was completely devoted to her three children, encouraging their involvement in extracurricular activities, sports, music, etc. Serving as room mother, taking her daughter to dance classes, & attending games, concerts, 4H & church activities. And so instilling in them an appreciation for the importance of family events, such as Sunday Dinners, birthday
celebrations, and spending holidays with family.
Karen’s love of the outdoors was exhibited by her devotion to gardening, yard work, riding her 4 wheeler, horseback riding, playing softball, bowling, etc. Karen’s love for her children has resulted in each of them achieving amazing professional success. And subsequently, her love for her 5 grandchildren, is now resulting in each of them following similar successful paths. Most importantly, each have become the type of people who's life will forever honor their Mother's & Grandmother's memory in countless & unexpected ways!
Karen is survived by her brother John Von Kieffer & wife Adele Kieffer, daughter Sherri Kieffer, of Lawrence, KS, & Sherri’s children, Kristin Heald, Danelle Cole, Ryan Cole, & Courtney Brown. Her son, Kevin Kieffer & wife Kim Kieffer of Stillwell, KS, and son Brandon Kieffer & wife Sally Kieffer of Pierce City, MO and daughter Tiffany Kieffer. Karen’s life was also blessed by the arrival of 11 great grandchildren!
There will be a private graveside service for Karen at Floral Hills in Raytown on May1st, and the family is planning a “Celebration of Life” for Karen on Saturday, Oct. 24th at 12:40 pm at her family’s farm. Please know that friends are invited to join Karen’s family for this celebration!
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