Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas
Karen Keller Becker, 79, passed away September 23, 2020, at Almost Home, Great Bend. She was born September 11, 1941, in Great Bend, to Marion Eustace “M.E.” and Ulanda (Schartz) Marmie. Karen was a 1959 graduate of Great Bend High School and continued her education at Emporia State Teacher’s College. Karen married Norman C. Keller October 21, 1961, in Great Bend. Norman passed away January 5, 1999. She then married Wayne A. Becker May 4, 2001, in Great Bend. Wayne passed away November 5, 2008.
Karen was a life time resident of the Great Bend area. Following her schooling she was employed as an administrative assistant for Central Kansas Electric Co-op. After she and Norman began their family, Karen was a homemaker, avid volunteer and active supporter in Norman's business, Keller Real Estate and Insurance. Karen was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church. She was a founding member and served as President and board member for the Holy Family School Endowment. She spent countless hours volunteering for the church and school including being a member of Altar Society, Parish Pastoral committee and attending Adoration Chapel. Karen served her community as a board member for Golden Belt Community Concert and a member of the Great Bend Progress Club and Great Bend Area Panhellenic. Karen was incredibly social and loved gathering with friends and family. She had lifelong friendships from several bridge clubs and coffee and dinner groups. Above all she cherished her time with family, enjoying every event and special occasion. She will always be remembered for her bright smile, true kindness and incredible generosity.
Survivors include, two sons, Kevin Keller and wife Lori, and Jeff Keller and wife Kathie, all of Great Bend; a daughter, Kim Meeds and husband Blaine of Anchorage, Alaska; seven grandchildren, Grant Keller, Alyssa Keller, Sarah Keller, Neal Keller, Katie Meeds, Maggie Meeds and Claire Meeds; Two brothers, Dave Marmie and wife Sherri, and Jerry Marmie and wife Linda, and their respective families; Norman's sister Janice Becker and husband Jerry, and sister-in-law, Jerene Keller, and their respective families; Wayne's children Ricky Becker, Tammy Hayden, Teri Stephenson, and their respective families; Wayne's sisters, Linda Sisson, Jean Radke and Ann Engel, and their respective families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Norman and Wayne, Norman's brothers Marvin Keller and James Keller, and Wayne's son Rock Becker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 26, 2020, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Don Bedore presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, September 25, at Bryant Funeral Home, with an Altar Society Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be given to Prince of Peace Parish or Holy Family School Endowment or Almost Home, Inc., in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530