Karen Lynn McFarland

Karen Lynn McFarland, 79, Palmyra, Mo., passed away at 7:05 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at Hannibal Regional Hospital in Hannibal, Mo.

Karen was born June 24, 1943, in Hannibal, to Claude Leroy and Virginia Elizabeth Gardhouse McFarland.

Survivors include her sisters, Reverend Helen McFarland, and Gayle Hurst; nieces, Kristy Bross (Greg) and Susan Ragar (Troy); great-nieces and great-nephews, Christopher Janes (Alexis), Dalton Janes, J.C. Bross, Sophia Ragar, Weston Ragar and Hadley Ragar; great-great-nephew and great-great-niece, Declan and Juvia Janes.

Karen was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ellis Arthur and Sophia Elizabeth Gardhouse and Roy and Mattie Maynard McFarland; parents; brother-in-law, Jerry Hurst; and niece, Jennifer Elizabeth Hurst.

Karen was a cost accountant for Gardner Denver in Quincy, Ill., for 24 years. 

She was tenacious in everything she set her mind to achieving. As a very active and unstoppable woman of God, Karen spent much of her time being a part of any church activity. Karen had a drive and ambition to serve the Lord and help the church: leading Sunday School classes, helping with church shut-ins, working as a district officer for the Palmyra United Methodist Women’s group, as an officer for the District UMW and on the Conference Mission Team, working as a church camp counselor and craft director, working with different Missions Teams, working as an administrative board member and as the financial secretary. 

Karen was also very involved with the local Girl Scouts, serving as a troop leader for Junior Girl Scouts and as an adult trainer. Her Girl Scout awards included the Thanks Badge, which is the top award given to adults in Girl Scouting, Outstanding adult in Area IV and Family of the Year.

Karen was a wonderful help in the kitchen and enjoyed baking homemade hot rolls, cookies, banana bread and much more. She taught all of her nieces and nephews to make cookies and rolls from scratch.

She poured her heart into making Christmas ornaments for each family member every year for over 50 years. It is safe to say that Karen relished serving people in any capacity that she could, volunteering with the local elementary and middle schools as a mentor and working at the food pantry every week. She was a part of the Hannibal Regional Hospital Auxiliary and knitted hats for the babies; and was a member of the Sunshine Ladies at Maple Lawn Nursing Home.

Karen was honored as the Educator of the Year by The Chamber of Commerce for her work with youth.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra. Reverend Eric Anderson will officiate. A burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra.

The pallbearers will be Greg Bross, Troy Ragar, Weston Ragar, J.C. Bross, Christopher Janes, Dalton Janes, David Wharton, Mark Mesplay and Tom Buckles.

Honorary pallbearers will be Sophia Ragar, Hadley Ragar, Declan Janes, and Juvia Janes.

Friends and family are invited to Karen’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 21, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the Palmyra United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be shared, and video tribute may be viewed at www.LewisBrothersFuneralChapel.com