Karen Otte, 85, passed away December 11, 2022, at Harry Hynes Hospice, Wichita, Kansas.
She was born February 3, 1937, in Ellsworth, Kansas, the daughter of Benton Ezra and Margaret I. Remley Rice.
A lifetime Larned resident, she was a farmwife and member of the First Presbyterian Church, Larned. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies, Gem Gals, Pawnee County 4-H, Santa Fe Trail Center, Wet Dry Routes Chapter and past 4-H cooking leader. She loved taking mystery trips with the Heritage Tours, square dancing in her younger days, playing cards and dominoes with her friends and family, and was an avid reader. In her lifetime she served in many capacities at the church, volunteered at the Food Pantry and helped with the monthly birthday parties at Diversicare.
On September 16, 1956, she married Dale Otte in Great Bend, Kansas; he passed away on October 17, 2014.
Survivors include: two daughters, Lori (Rick) Blakesley, Hutchinson, Kim (Steve) Gevara, Larned; sister-in-law Lois Schimmels, Clinton, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth (Matt) Fisher, Matthew (Janae) Finger, Jacob (Kat) Finger, Audree (Adrian) Senestraro, Emile (Dylan) Frantz, Tanner (Claire) Blakesley, and Bryce (Madison) Gevara; Thirteen great grandchildren, Jenna Fisher, Sarah Fisher, Grace Fisher, Emmet Fisher, Caden Finger, Jayce Finger, Kaysen Finger, Isabel Finger, Maddison Senestraro, Maia Senestraro, Maddex Frantz, Brynley Frantz and Avery Blakesley; and her beloved cat, Sophie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Husband, daughter Jennifer Finger and sister Judy A. Kirby.
Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church, Larned, with Pastor Dennis Scheibmeier presiding. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Beckwith Mortuary with family present from 4 to 6 p.m.
Memorials may be given to Pawnee County 4-H Foundation, First Presbyterian Church or Welcome Inn Senior Center in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.