Karen Marie Beecher of Yates Center, KS passed away Aug 31, 2025 in her home at the age of

87. Karen was born Aug 25, 1938 to Guy and DeMoy Pate in Stillwell, OK. The family moved to

several places before settling in Arcadia, OK where she graduated from high school. July of

1956 Karen married William Stevens and had two daughters – Deanna and Debbie. They later

divorced. Karen met Edgar "Buddy" Beecher, in OKC and were wed on Feb 2, 1962 and had

three children – Dustene, Dale and Daryl.

In 1967 the family moved from Okarche, OK to the farm in Yates Center, KS. Karen was a

homemaker for most of her life before she started working at Gates Rubber Company in Iola,

KS, from where she retired. In 2001 they sold the farm and moved to town.

Karen loved her family and spent many days as a 4-H leader and going to livestock shows with

Dustene, Dale and Daryl; and later to the fairs watching her grandchildren and great

grandchildren showing livestock. She also loved babysitting her grandchildren and great

grandchildren and also many other children in town.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Buddy; daughter Dustene; her parents and in-

laws; one brother Johnny; and three sisters: Patty, Emma and Erma.

She is survived by her children Deanna Johnson of Yates Center; KS Debbie Stevens of Edmond,

OK; Dale Beecher and Stacey of Iola, KS; Daryl Beecher, Yates Center KS and Aileen Blackwell of Yates Center, KS. 5 Grandchildren – Shawna Johnson, Josh Weston, Dallyn Beecher (Brett) and Shandell (Aaron) Skillman and Jacob Keiter. 8 Great Grandchildren – Rhylan, Jordynn, Conway, Daxton, Bellamee, Carson, LeDoux and Dally; 1 sister – Nita Aldrich of Tyler, TX; brothers, Pete Pate of Temple, TX and Richard Pate of Weatherford, TX; and sister-in-law, Maxine Masquelier of Kingfisher, OK. And many nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

Donations in her memory can be made to Friends for Life, Yates Center.

Visitation will be Friday, September 12, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Campbell Funeral Home,

Yates Center, KS. Graveside services will be Saturday September 13, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Yates Center Cemetery.