~ AREA OBITUARIES ~
Karen Sue Edwards, 72 of Madison, passed away Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita in the presence of her loving family. She was born April 2, 1952 in Cushing, Okla. the daughter of Ralph and Erma Frazier Ingram. Karen’s family moved to Eureka when she was young. She attended Eureka High School and graduated with the Class of 1970. Karen married the love of her life, Gary D. Edwards on July 29, 1971 in Eureka. They began their lives together in Essex, Maryland and started a family. After Gary’s discharge from the Army in December 1972 they moved to Severy. Karen and Gary later spent eight years in Emporia before settling at their current home in Madison in 1983.
She spent years as a stay at home mom, raising her children and caring for their son Scott during his prolonged illness. Karen and Gary also operated a craft business out of their home for over twenty years. Following their son’s second transplant operation, Karen began a new journey as a para educator for the Flint Hills Coop in Emporia. She took great pride in being an advocate for young students and kept in touch with students even after they progressed out of her educational environment.
Karen and Gary are members of the Lamont Wesleyan Church where she served in the church and participated in Bible Study Groups. Karen quietly served the people of her community and church family with a genuine and caring demeanor. She felt it was important to be friendly to even the unfriendliest people, as they often needed it most of all.
As Karen leaves this world for her heavenly home, she will live on in the hearts and memories of her devoted husband, Gary of their home; a daughter, Alana Engle and husband Ryan of Madison; her son, Jon Edwards and wife Niki of Hewitt, Texas; grandchildren, Makena Engle, Abby Edwards, Hunter En- gle and his fiancé Hailey Hower, Josh Edwards and wife Dani; sisters, Ralphan Greenwood of Eureka and Mirah Dow and husband Pat of Eureka; in-laws, Jim Edwards and wife Judy of Emporia, Larry Edwards of Little Rock, Ark.; Erline Edwards of Severy and Vicki Hinkle of Severy; nieces; nephews; extended family and a community of dear friends.
Karen was preceded in death by her son, Scott Delynn Edwards on November 24, 2020; her father, Ralph; mother, Erma and step-father Austin Powell as well as her mother and father-in-law, Alfred and Wilma Edwards.
Services were scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at the Lamont Wesleyan Church. Burial followed services at #8 Cemetery where she was be placed next to her son Scott. The family received friends Thursday, Friday, Dec. 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lamont Wesleyan Church Building Fund and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Home, Box #488, Madison, KS 66860. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.
