BEL AIRE, KANSAS

Karen Sue Jantz, 69, born to John Trower, Sr. and Geraldine 'Bonnie' (Hatchell) Trower on August 7, 1950 in Atchison, Kansas.  She passed away on August 8 ^th 2019 at her home in Bel Aire. She attended schools in Lancaster and Atchison. In her younger days she worked for Melrose Restaurant & Club, Atchison Leather Products, Medicalodge of Atchison as a certified CNA, from 1975 to 1982. The last place she worked for was Leekers Family Foods in Park City Kansas in the deli for 4 years. She retired in 1987.

She met Gary Allen Jantz while working for Medicalodge Nursing Home in December 1980. He was there remodeling the building. When their eyes first met it was love at first sight. Gary proposed to Karen on his knee at the Lobster Pot Restaurant located in Union Railroad Station in Kansas City, Mo., and placed a small diamond ring on her finger while the customers applauded with congratulations. Karen and Gary traveled from Atchison to Miami, Oklahoma where a couple could get a blood test and marriage license all in one day.  Since Miami was a popular place for couples to get married they had to wait in line at the courthouse for their marriage license.  Since everything was moving so fast in their life Karen did not have a wedding ring for Gary, so he took her to a local jewelry store in Miami where he purchased a $99.00 gold band.  They were married June 18, 1982 at Laverne's Marriage Parlor and have been in love ever since.  Karen always said he is the best man in the world and knew God sent him to her. Gary always told her that he felt the same way.  After having hard times and working two jobs at the same time and raising two children by herself, he became a wonderful husband to her and father to her children.  Karen and Gary had 37 years of wonderful life together and through hard times and good they never left each other's side.

Karen loved growing up in the country on the farm and riding many of the horses she loved, watching movies at the Drive-In, visiting cousins on the weekends, and helping her dad with taking care of the family's Livestock.  Karen had a love for reading inspirational books especially the Upper Room.  She enjoyed going to lunch with family and friends and attending garage sales.  She had 1 to 2 garage sales a year and was well known for them.  She made a lot of friends through this and people would stop her in the grocery store and asked when her next garage sale was going to be because they just love them.

Her family was her life.   Karen loved spending time with her daughter going to antique stores and having lunch with her.   Later when her granddaughter Page got older she would join them in going to lunch, they would just spend hours laughing and joking around.  Karen would always say it's my treat.   Karen had the biggest heart, she loved her grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.  There are too many good memories of times spent with Karen that each family member will carry in their own hearts forever.

Surviving are:  her husband, Gary, daughter Tabatha and Dave Meeks, granddaughter Page Larsen and Matt Ellis, grandson Preston Meeks;  great grandchildren, Ayden and Rylee;  brothers Johnny (Mary), Tim (Rosie); sisters Julie, Sheila and Melody;  numerous nieces and nephews.  And especially her fur babies:  Murphy Jay Jantz and Shelby Lynn Jantz, Mickey and Chloe and all the others that she is playing with in heaven now, Boogie, Molly, Tisha and Cheyenne.

Preceded in death by:  her parents, brother Ronald Dean Trower, son Gannon James Levret, and her granddaughter Faith Noel Larsen.

Some of her favorite scriptures:

"The Lord is my Shepherd.   I shall not want….thy rod and thy staff – this comfort me".               Psalm 23:1,4

"He replied "truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."                                            Luke 23:43

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."                                                                    James 4:8

"For thus says the Lord …as a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you."                         Isaiah 66:12,13

Memorials may be designated in Karen's memory to PALS Animal Rescue, PO Box 47342, Wichita, Kansas 67201.

Visitation will be held 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, August 14; Services 10 a.m., August 15, both will be held at Baker Funeral Home Valley Center. Graveside following the service at Kechi Township Cemetery, 6523 N. Hillside, Wichita, Kansas. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com