Obituary for Karen S. Harris
Karen Sue Harris, age 67 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at River City Nursing Home.
Karen was born on February 9, 1951 in Jefferson City, Mo. the 3rd child of Marvin J. and Dorothy M. (Bellman) Harris.
She graduated from St. Peter’s Grade School, Jefferson City Senior High School, and Lincoln University, all in Jefferson City, Mo. Karen graduated magna cum laude from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a minor in Business Administration and Psychology in 1973. She started graduate school for an MBA at the University of Missouri – Columbia and graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City with a Masters of Business Administration in 1982. She did this all while working full-time in Kansas City, Mo. She was very proud to pay all of her schooling expenses herself, with no loans or assistance.
As a child, she “hunted” for used soda bottles and sold those to retailers - she was an entrepreneur at a young age and always had a good work ethic! In 1966 and 1967, she did laundry and housekeeping duties at the Missouri Hotel and in 1968, she was a housekeeper at Ramada Inn.
Throughout her professional career, she worked a numerous positions throughout the state of Missouri. Most notably she was employed as a postal assistant with the United States Post Office in Jefferson City, Mo.; as an auditor for the U.S. Army Audit Agency in St. Louis, Mo.; as a tax auditor with the Missouri Department of Revenue in Kansas City, Mo. and as a municipal revenue agent with the Internal Revenue Service, in both Kansas City, Mo and Prairie Village, Ks. She retired from work in 1994.
Karen volunteered with the Tenant’s Association at Dulle and Hamilton Towers; helping to bring tenants meals and hosting fun games. She was a board member of the Senior Nutrition Council and served as their secretary for many years. She continued to be active in their meetings throughout the years and also attended most meetings of the Jefferson City Housing Authority.
Karen’s interests included art classes, painting, biking, traveling and movies. She was an avid reader; enjoying mysteries and suspense the most. She liked to play bingo and eat out and was always hunting for Piglet paraphernalia for her Winnie the Pooh collection.
Survivors include: her sister, Donna Kendall of Jefferson City, Mo.; her brother, Darrell Harris and his wife Lisa of Jefferson City, Mo.; and a nephew, John Kendall, Jr. of Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Dorothy Harris, and one brother, Robert Harris, who died in 1969 during the Vietnam War.
Private graveside services and interment will be held at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Compassus, 600 Monroe Street, Suite #100, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.
Karen was born on February 9, 1951 in Jefferson City, Mo. the 3rd child of Marvin J. and Dorothy M. (Bellman) Harris.
She graduated from St. Peter’s Grade School, Jefferson City Senior High School, and Lincoln University, all in Jefferson City, Mo. Karen graduated magna cum laude from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a minor in Business Administration and Psychology in 1973. She started graduate school for an MBA at the University of Missouri – Columbia and graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City with a Masters of Business Administration in 1982. She did this all while working full-time in Kansas City, Mo. She was very proud to pay all of her schooling expenses herself, with no loans or assistance.
As a child, she “hunted” for used soda bottles and sold those to retailers - she was an entrepreneur at a young age and always had a good work ethic! In 1966 and 1967, she did laundry and housekeeping duties at the Missouri Hotel and in 1968, she was a housekeeper at Ramada Inn.
Throughout her professional career, she worked a numerous positions throughout the state of Missouri. Most notably she was employed as a postal assistant with the United States Post Office in Jefferson City, Mo.; as an auditor for the U.S. Army Audit Agency in St. Louis, Mo.; as a tax auditor with the Missouri Department of Revenue in Kansas City, Mo. and as a municipal revenue agent with the Internal Revenue Service, in both Kansas City, Mo and Prairie Village, Ks. She retired from work in 1994.
Karen volunteered with the Tenant’s Association at Dulle and Hamilton Towers; helping to bring tenants meals and hosting fun games. She was a board member of the Senior Nutrition Council and served as their secretary for many years. She continued to be active in their meetings throughout the years and also attended most meetings of the Jefferson City Housing Authority.
Karen’s interests included art classes, painting, biking, traveling and movies. She was an avid reader; enjoying mysteries and suspense the most. She liked to play bingo and eat out and was always hunting for Piglet paraphernalia for her Winnie the Pooh collection.
Survivors include: her sister, Donna Kendall of Jefferson City, Mo.; her brother, Darrell Harris and his wife Lisa of Jefferson City, Mo.; and a nephew, John Kendall, Jr. of Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Dorothy Harris, and one brother, Robert Harris, who died in 1969 during the Vietnam War.
Private graveside services and interment will be held at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Compassus, 600 Monroe Street, Suite #100, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.