Karen Sue Bartlett, 80, of Savannah, Missouri, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at a Savannah, MO health care facility.
She was born August 12, 1944 to Lyda "Merl" and Clifton "Paul" Crane. She graduated from South Harrison High School in 1962 and attended University of Missouri - Columbia taking classes in business. She married David Bartlett on May 2, 1965 in her living room in New Hampton, MO. They moved to Albany, MO but settled in St Joseph, Mo to raise their family. Karen worked at Altec Industries, working her way up from secretary to purchasing agent before retiring after many years there. She was also a Loaned Executive for the United Way and served many years there doing fundraising presentations for companies and volunteering in many other aspects. For over 20 years, Karen sang and toured with the Sweet Adelines barbershop chorus. Karen had a heart for service and enjoyed helping others and loved her family dearly. She was a longtime Member of Community Christian Church where she was very involved and served on many roles. She was currently a member of First Christian Church in St. Joseph.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband David Bartlett in 1995, as well as their parents, her brother David Crane, sister-in-law, Mary Crane and brother-in-law Jim Bartlett. Survivors include children, Kristi Bartlett, Steve (Chris) Bartlett, grandsons Will and Ben Bartlett, all of Savannah, and sister-in-law Karen (Mark) Long of Cameron, MO, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Rupp Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 12:00 to 2:00 pm Saturday. Pastor Brian Kirk, officiating. The Interment will be at Mount Zion Cemetery, Gower, MO. Memorials are requested to the United Way of St. Joseph.
