Karen K. Thurnau, 67, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025, after a brief struggle with cancer.
She was born March 24, 1958 in Kansas City, Missouri to Lee and Virginia (Field) Thurnau. She grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Ruskin High School in 1976. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Missouri Western State College.
In 1980, Karen began her teaching career at Webster Elementary School in St. Joseph, Missouri. After teaching at Webster for 29 years until it closed, she was an instructional coach and then an interventionist for the St. Joseph Public School District until she retired in 2015. She adored her students and kept in touch with many of them.
Karen’s faith was strong. She was a longtime member of Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church.
Karen loved to travel, especially to the Pacific Northwest and Maine. She enjoyed collecting and selling rocks and minerals, as well as tending to her flower garden.
A quiet soul known for her generosity and sense of humor, Karen loved hanging out with her “sister friends.”
She was preceded in death by her father, Lee Thurnau; and siblings, Steven Thurnau and Mike Thurnau.
Survivors include her mother, Virginia Thurnau; nieces and nephews, Steven (Ashley) Thurnau, Stacy (Jeremy) Monks, Jason (Linda) Hicks, Derrick (Malinda) Hicks, and Martha (Joe) Bliley; several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; and “sister friends,” Deb Cook and Carole (Jim) Honeycutt.
A private family service will be held in Kansas City. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.
