Karen Summers
October 16, 1939 — August 23, 2023
Karen Summers
Karen Grace Summers, 83, passed away August 23, 2023, at Citizens Medical Center, in Colby, KS.
Karen was born October 16, 1939, in Graham County, KS, the third child and only daughter of Ed and Mary (Doran) Sandlin. She graduated from Hill City High School in 1957. Karen and William Summers were married on September 21, 1957, at Prairie Home Church, in Trego County, KS.
Bill and Karen made their first home in Salina while Bill attended college. They subsequently moved back to Graham County to help with farming, then to Penokee, and finally to Colby where they opened Colby Glass and Sign Company. Their first daughter, Darla Diane, was born May 8, 1959; daughter Rochelle Marie “Shelly”, was born May 30, 1960, and daughter Joni Lynn, was born September 1, 1962.
Karen was a skilled seamstress and great cook. She helped run the family business and worked at Pioneer memorial Library and Colby Public Schools.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; daughter Darla and her brothers, Arlen, Gary and Curtis.
She is mourned by her daughters, Shelly (Rod) Rodenbeck, of Colby and Joni (Gary) Jackson, of Colby; her grandchildren, Russell Rodenbeck, of Colby and Jeannie (Ben) Schroeder, of Brewster; two great-grandchildren; her brother Steven Vancouver, WA; sister-in-law Kathie, Longmont, CO; and several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Cremation was chosen. A private service will take place at a later date with inurnment in the Penokee Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Pioneer Memorial Library Expansion Fund or to the Thomas County Community Foundation’s Teri L. Morris Legal Fee Fund. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com
Karen was born October 16, 1939, in Graham County, KS, the third child and only daughter of Ed and Mary (Doran) Sandlin. She graduated from Hill City High School in 1957. Karen and William Summers were married on September 21, 1957, at Prairie Home Church, in Trego County, KS.
Bill and Karen made their first home in Salina while Bill attended college. They subsequently moved back to Graham County to help with farming, then to Penokee, and finally to Colby where they opened Colby Glass and Sign Company. Their first daughter, Darla Diane, was born May 8, 1959; daughter Rochelle Marie “Shelly”, was born May 30, 1960, and daughter Joni Lynn, was born September 1, 1962.
Karen was a skilled seamstress and great cook. She helped run the family business and worked at Pioneer memorial Library and Colby Public Schools.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; daughter Darla and her brothers, Arlen, Gary and Curtis.
She is mourned by her daughters, Shelly (Rod) Rodenbeck, of Colby and Joni (Gary) Jackson, of Colby; her grandchildren, Russell Rodenbeck, of Colby and Jeannie (Ben) Schroeder, of Brewster; two great-grandchildren; her brother Steven Vancouver, WA; sister-in-law Kathie, Longmont, CO; and several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Cremation was chosen. A private service will take place at a later date with inurnment in the Penokee Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Pioneer Memorial Library Expansion Fund or to the Thomas County Community Foundation’s Teri L. Morris Legal Fee Fund. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com
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