Karen Hawkins

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Karen Marie Hawkins, age 71 of Girard, Kansas, died Saturday, January 2nd, 2021 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Karen was born August 6, 1949 in Seneca, Kansas to Edwin and Frances (Strathman) Kramer. She was the fifth of six children and grew up on the family farm. She graduated in 1967 from Seneca High School. Following graduation, Karen went to work for Big “B” grocery store in Seneca.

She married Robert (Bob) Hawkins in 1968 in Seneca. They were very active in the Seneca Jaycees/Jaynes organization with Karen serving as president the organization for a term. Together they raised their three boys in Seneca, moving to Girard in 1982. They later divorced.

Karen later switched careers into the printing industry working for FMI, APICO, and Print XCEL companies in Girard as a shipping clerk. She was working for FMI at the time of her illness. In total, she worked over 30 years at local printing companies, a job she enjoyed.

She met Jerry Childers in 2003 and together they enjoyed riding motorcycles with a local group, taking weekend trips to the Ozarks, area rides, and even rode at Sturgis. He was a constant source of love and strength during her illness. As was typical with Karen, Jerry’s children Cindy, Brenda, and Kerry became her family as well.

Family was everything to Karen. Every conversation involved her pride for her son’s and their families. She rarely missed one of her grandchildren’s sporting events and was often the loudest voice in the stands. She loved to spoil her grandchildren on shopping trips and especially Christmas. If mom and dad said no, it was often Grandma who would fulfill the wish. She enjoyed holiday trips to Texas and loved the hunt of the garage sales and area auctions. She was a member of the First Baptist church of Girard.

Karen is survived by her three boys; Bobby (wife Robin) of Girard; Randy (wife Tara) of Boerne, Texas; and Scott (Julie) of Webb City, Missouri and her companion/partner of 17 years Jerry Childers. In addition, several grandchildren had the privilege to call her Grandma: Taylor (Brad), Jordan, Jayden, Trevor (Max), Taylor, Gabe, Audrey, Riley, Peyton, Allie and her lone great-grand daughter Adalynn. She is also survived by siblings Diane Rottinghaus of Seneca, Dick Kramer of Pueblo, Colorado, Lynn Kramer of Topeka, and Janet Finley of Topeka.

She was preceded in death by her mother on September 29, 2000; her father on August 13, 2015; and a brother, Eldon Kramer on April 12, 1987.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 6th, at 10:30 am at Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery, with Scott Bennett officiating. In addition, the family will host visitation from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, January 5th, at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home where friends may call after 2:00 p.m., Tuesday.

Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice who provided caring service during the final days of Karen’s life. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home. Online messages may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.