DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — Karen Marlene Bokelman (nee Carlson) of Doylestown, Pa., died suddenly on April 4 at home with her family by her side. She was 76 years old, and died as she had lived, thinking first about the happiness of her family and wide circle of close friends.
Born in McPherson, she was the daughter of Marlin Carlson, MD, and Anne Carlson (nee Holmquist). Karen grew up in Ellinwood, spending her summers at her maternal grandparent’s farm in Smolan. She attended the University of Kansas (KU) and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and the KU Spirit Squad. Karen was graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and married her husband Delwin (Del) in June of that year. She moved to the east coast, living in Greenport, N.Y., on Long Island and in Ithaca, N.Y., and Lansdale, Pa., before settling in Doylestown, Pa., in 1966.
A 46-year resident of Doylestown, Pa., Karen was an active member of her community. She was a loyal blood donor, Girl Scout Leader, a member of the Central Bucks School District PTA and a volunteer for the American Red Cross.  A lover of history and antiques, Karen was active in the Bucks County Historical Association, the Friends of the Bucks County Historical Association and the Kings Path Questers of Doylestown, Pa. She also served for years as a volunteer at the Mercer Museum.
She loved entertaining at her home for family and friends. An avid gardener, she was a member of the Doylestown Nature Club, and loved tending her flowers and plants and never missed the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Karen enjoyed reading and was a fixture for years at Kenny’s Newsstand and Bookstore. An ardent bridge player, Karen enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and shut-ins. A true dog lover, her family affectionately referred to her as a dog-whisperer, for her dogs T-Bone, a German shorthair, and KC, a Brittany spaniel, were always by her side.  
She enjoyed spending time at the Jersey shore at the family’s vacation home in Avalon, N.J., and had the opportunity to travel throughout parts of the United States, along with Africa, Japan, Spain, Ireland and Australia with her husband and toured museums and towns in Europe with her close friends.
Karen attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Doylestown, Pa., and enjoyed adult Bible studies and the choral melodies of hymns. A fevered sport’s fan, she passionately rooted for her KU Jayhawks, the 76ers and her beloved Phillies. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and close friends, and was a proud fixture at all of her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and school events throughout the years.
Karen is survived by her husband, Delwin Bokelman, DVM, PhD; her son, Mark, of Collegeville; her daughter, Lorrie, of Lansdale; her son John, of Collegeville; her daughter and son-law, Amy and James Jamison, of Hatfield; her four grandchildren, Olivia and Madelynn Bokelman, of Lansdale and Hannah & Alexandra (Ally) Jamison, of Hatfield; her brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Richard and Magda Carlson, of Overland Park; her niece, Berit Carlson, PhD, of Doylestown; and nephew, Marlin Carlson, of Overland Park.
Relatives and friends are invited to Karen’s memorial service 11 a.m. on Friday at Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Rd., Doylestown, where the public may call from 10-11 a.m. A visitation will also be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home. A private interment attended by the family will be held at Doylestown Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Karen’s name to A Woman’s Place, P.O. Box 299, Doylestown, PA 18901 (www.awomansplace.org) or the Central Bucks Family YMCA (for the Kids to Camp Campaign), 2500 Lower State Road, Doylestown, PA 18901 (www.cbfymca.org/our-y/give).

Funeral arrangements provided by
Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home**
2335 Lower State Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 11, 2012