Obituary for Karen Funderburk

Ponca City Now - November 1, 2023 10:52 am

Karen Sue Funderburk

August 5, 1950 – October 30, 2023

Karen Sue Funderburk of Kansas City, Kansas, died Monday evening, October 30, 2023, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City at the age of 73 years. Karen was born on August 5th, 1950, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Jack and Thelma Stuck. She was the youngest of three children, along with her sister Shelma and brother Michael. She grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from Webster High School in 1968.

Karen continued her education by attending Central State University in Edmond for two years before meeting her future husband, Philip Funderburk. Phil and Karen were married on October 13, 1970 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and settled in Oklahoma City for a year before moving to Medford.

Phil and Karen raised three sons together in Medford: Donald, born in 1971, Jack and Joe, born in 1975. In 1986 Karen attended beauty college and became a licensed beautician. She opened Karen’s Kuts in 1988 and operated that business until 2014. After the death of her husband, Karen moved to Kansas City and enjoyed living with her sister Shelma and niece Carie.

Karen was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Medford, and then Immanuel Baptist Church in Blackwell. Her faith in Jesus was very important to her, and she was faithful to raise her children and grandchildren in the love and knowledge of the Lord.

Karen is survived by her three sons, Donald Dean Funderburk II (Shawnna) of Liberty, Missouri, Jack Andrew Funderburk (Amy) of Eldon, Missouri, and Rev. Joseph Alan Funderburk (Angela) of Avon, Connecticut; her sister, Shelma Warner of Kansas City; and nine grandchildren, Nicholas and Zachary Funderburk, and Alyssa (Chandler) Baxter; Samantha, Luke and Jackson Funderburk; and Laura, Maxwell and Jackie Funderburk.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Thelma, husband Philip, and brother Michael.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 11th at the Rosemound Cemetery in Medford, OK. In lieu of flowers, a donation could be made to a local church of your choosing in her honor.