Karen Lea Linn

Karen Lea Linn, 78, of Topeka passed away on March 29, 2021 at Rolling Hills Health Center. She was born on May 9, 1942 to Roscoe and Wilma (Karr) Rowlands in Long Beach, California.

Though she spent most of her life worshipping in the Christian church, Karen joined the Catholic faith in 2002 after reconfirming her life to the Lord Jesus Christ at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emporia, KS.

Karen, forever a California girl at heart, spent her formative years in the Golden State with her parents and brothers before they moved to Kansas. After marrying, Karen and her husband Morey moved to Hartford, Kansas, to be closer to family as they started their family.

Karen enjoyed traveling with friends, arts, crafts and floral design but mostly she enjoyed spending time with her family. Though quiet and thoughtful, Karen had an impressive ornery streak, a stare that scared the trouble right out of her kids, and a cookbook full of delicious recipes that embodied the loving, joyful home she had built. Karen spent most of her career as the human resources director for Hartford, Inc. She also worked in payroll/finance at The Farm, Inc. in Emporia, KS and as a semi-retiree, as the front desk receptionist at Atria Hearthstone in Topeka.

Karen is survived by her loving children, Andrew (Karen K.) Linn, Jenalea "Jenny" Randall, and Julie (Kyle) Stevens; a grandchild, Josie Linn, all of Topeka, a brother, Dexter Rowlands of Emporia, a sister-in-law Marilyn Rowlands, Bethany, Oklahoma, as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Richard "Dick" Rowlands, a sister-in-law, Dana Rowlands, and a son-in-law Anthony "Tony" Randall.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, April 2, 2021 at Dove Cremation & Funerals, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service time. Karen dreamed of returning to her heart's home, California. Honoring her wishes, Karen's children will deliver her cremated remains to her home state at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604-3720.

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