Karen was born on April 19, 1948 to James and Greta Watters. She has two living sisters Martha and Patricia. She lived in KCMO all her life. She graduated from Northeast High School.

Early in life she always talked about being a nurse. She was a candy striper volunteer, while in high school. Karen won a scholarship to St. Mary's School of Nursing and became an LPN. She worked at St. Mary's Hospital most of her career. She also worked at Truman, Children's Mercy and other health facilities. Karen always felt nursing was her calling and her kindness, compassion and concern for her patients proved that be true.

After leaving nursing she cared for her grandmother, Pauline Baer and her mother Greta in her cancer illness. Her strong faith helped her through her last few years. She rarely complained about her failing health. Although she could not attend Mass she always made time to watch and participate in the televised Mass.

Karen enjoyed traveling, cooking, embroidery, was an avid reader and enjoyed the soap operas on tv. She will be deeply missed by family and friends. 

Karen is survived by her sisters, Martha Jean Watters and Patricia Kay Watters; and her dear friends, Janice McMahon, Mary Fazio, and Juanela Hamilton. She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Greta Watters.