BEATRICE, Neb. — Karen L. Kirkpatrick, 88 years and 27 days of age, passed away at her home Saturday morning, Oct. 18th. She was born on Sept. 20, 1926, in Hoisington, to Duke and Opal (Sypolt) Van Brimmer. Karen was a 1944 graduate of Hoisington High School and attended Wichita State University for two years. Karen and William Kirkpatrick were married on May 7, 1948, in Hoisington. She then taught school at a rural school near Great Bend from 1949-1950. They moved to Beatrice from Stinett, Texas in 1954; lived in Oklahoma and then back to Beatrice in 1957; lived in Naperville, Ill. from 1969 until moving back to Beatrice in 1981.
Karen was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice and enjoyed reading, cooking, playing bridge, entertaining for her family and friends, and especially loved her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband William; daughter Janelle Molsen and husband Peter of Lincoln, Neb.; four grandchildren, Matthew Molsen, Sarah Molsen, Molly Jacobitz and husband Adam, and Michael Molsen and wife Krysta; three great-grandchildren Creighton, Berkley and Emmery Jacobitz; brother Tom Van Brimmer and wife Karen of Hoisington; and sister Janet Murphy and husband Jim of Mesa, Ariz. Karen was preceded in death by her parents Duke and Opal (Sypolt) Van Brimmer; and brother Billy.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice, Neb., with the Reverend Rusty Miller officiating. Inurnment of her ashes will be held at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice, Neb. at a later date. There will be no viewing or visitation, but the family will greet friends prior to the service. A memorial has been established to the Centenary United Methodist Church with the funeral home in charge. Sign Karen’s online guest book and view her video tribute when completed at www.ghchapel.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel**
708 North 6th Street
Beatrice, NE 68310
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Oct. 21, 2014