Her smile is gone from our eyes, but not from our hearts. Karen L Warren was born in
Grand Rapids, MI, on September 24, 1942, to John and Jane Bouwkamp. She passed
away on December 11, 2018 in Sheridan, WY. Her family was with her.
She went to local Grand Rapids schools through High School, then attended the
University of Michigan School of Nursing in Ann Arbor. There she met her future
husband, Dick. She was awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1964. In
July of 1964, she and Dick were married in Grand Rapids.
Their first home together was in the small mountain town of Mammoth Lakes, CA, on
the Eastern Slope of the Sierra Nevada. In subsequent years, the family lived in Lee
Vining, CA, Anchorage, AK, back to Mammoth Lakes, LaCanada, CA, Bishop, CA and
finally Sheridan, WY in 2008. Daughter Wendy was born (1966) in Bridgeport, CA,
(near Lee Vining). Daughter Kristin, was born in Anchorage in 1970. Through all the
moves, Karen's skills were in high demand at doctor’s offices, and hospitals.
Although she did not hunt or fish, she appreciated the beauty and complexity of the
outdoor world that God created. While in Mammoth Lakes and Lee Vining, she enjoyed
backpacking and when the daughters were older, tent camping in California State Parks.
In Anchorage, she served as adult leader to the church senior high group. The highlight
of this service was a week-long trip to Barrow, AK (now Utqiagvik, AK), camping on the
beach with the senior high kids and Eskimo adults. While in Alaska, she joined P.E.O, a
women's philanthropic organization. She remained an active member in Sheridan.
Support of Cottey College is one of the projects of P.E.O. and Karen took pride in it. She
was an active member of Presbyterian Women in Sheridan and sang in the church choir.
It was difficult to leave Bishop after 30 years but she was happy to move to Sheridan and
be close to both daughters and grandchildren. Attending high school athletic events and
cheering the grandkids and their teams became a highlight of life in Sheridan.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father and her brother, Ted. She is survived by
husband of 54 years, Dick; her daughters Wendy Warren and Kristi Kassen (Tony); brother, Ron (Donna), of Grand Rapids; sister-in-law Marsha Bouwkamp of Wolf Lake, MI; half-brother Mike (Beverly) of Nucla, CO; and grandchildren Nichole Montgomery (DJ) and
AJ Kassen.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church in Sheridan with Pastor Paul Hayden officiating. A luncheon will follow in the Fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org), Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), or Cottey College Gift Giving. 1000 W Austin, Nevada, MO 64772. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.