Karen Jean Wilkes

Karen Jean Wilkes, 73, of Dallas, TX (formerly of Colorado) was born on May 11, 1943 in Winner, South Dakota, to the late Dale and Doris Hause. She was the oldest of four children. Family was very important to Karen. She leaves behind two children: Douglas Burton of Gilbert, AZ and Nicole Raines of Sidney, NE; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one sister: Barbara Hause of Dallas, Texas; one brother: Lee Hause of Carefree, AZ and numerous nieces & nephews. Karen loved to go to the movies, share a meal with friends, and celebrate the holidays with family. Growing up in Arizona, she enjoyed sitting in the warm sun. She enjoyed a drive to the mountains of Colorado, putting her feet in a cold running stream. She had vacationed once in Maui and wanted to be go back because as she put it “it was so much fun”. Most of all she loved the sound of children laughing and playing. As the oldest, Karen took on the role of caretaker for the family. She supported and aided her mother in caring for her father during his final days. She was guardian of her mentally challenged brother and sat by his beside as he surrendered in his battle with cancer. She cared for her mother through her declining years and stood by her bedside as she passed after complications from surgery. She was with her late husband, Bill, until his crossing from years of Alzheimer’s last year. She did all this as she battled her own twenty year war with thyroid cancer. She wanted to rest, she needed to rest, and she deserved to rest. Karen’s family and friends came to share memories, shed tears, pray and to say goodbye. Karen Jean took her walk across the bridge in the early morning hours of January 24, 2017, with the support and love of her son, her sister and friends by her side, holding her hands and holding her space. Peace has finally come. Memorial Services are pending for a later date and will be posted when secured.