Karen Sue Franke

Karen Sue Franke, 77, of Topeka, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 18, 2025.

She was born June 20, 1947, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Henry and Dorothy (Cellers) Brobst.

Karen is survived by her son, Travis Franke; daughter, Kara (Ryan) Conley; granddaughters, Abby and Madison Conley; brother, Vernon (Marilyn) Brobst; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lynn on December 2, 2015. Karen was also preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Marjorie Baxter, Virginia Dyche and Barbara Koci; and brother, Virgil Brobst.

She graduated from Auburn High School in 1965. After high school she moved to Topeka to start a career as a clerk for the State of Kansas, eventually moving to the Veterans Administration in 1968. This is where she met her future husband, Lynn Franke, who had just returned from active duty and was working at the VA as well. Karen married Lynn Franke on August 25, 1975, in Topeka, Kansas and they were married for 40 years.

Karen dedicated most of her professional life to serving the State of Kansas as a Management Systems Analyst with the Department of Rehabilitation Services. Her passion for numbers and service continued beyond her state career, as she faithfully contributed her skills at Fairlawn Nazarene Church.

Karen was a woman of deep faith and a devoted member of Fairlawn Nazarene Church, where she actively participated in her Sunday school class and cherished her church community. She found great joy in spending time with her friends and family—especially the precious moments shared with her granddaughters. Karen’s kind-hearted spirit and caring nature left a lasting impact on everyone she met, and her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.

A memorial ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 3rd, at Fairlawn Nazarene Church, 730 SW Fairlawn Rd, Topeka, KS 66606. Interment of the cremated remains will be at Auburn Cemetery in Auburn, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fairlawn Nazarene Church or the University of Kansas Medical Center (Interstitial Lung Disease Research Unit).

To share a memory of Karen or leave a special message for her family, visit the guestbook below.