Karen L. Organ, 85, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025.
She was born July 18, 1939 to John Kenneth and Anna Lillian (Walters) Anderson in St. Joseph, Missouri. She graduated from Central High School in 1957 and then Missouri Methodist School of Nursing in 1960. Karen married Fred Leroy Organ on January 27, 1961.
She was a surgical nurse at Missouri Methodist Hospital for several years. She became a private scrub nurse for Thompson-Knepper Clinic.
She changed careers in 1977, to go toward her love of arts and crafts. She worked for Plum Fun Crafts for 15 years. In 1995, she opened her own shop, House of Imagination and Just for Diabetics for 13 years. While owning the business, she became a Liquitex teacher for painting. Just for Diabetics featured diabetic food. She was highly active in the ADA helping during the runs, giving out literature and becoming the Program Chairman for ADA until they pulled out of St. Joseph. She closed her business due to health.
During the 30 years, she became active in the Heartland Art Group and the Midwest Artist, serving on the boards for many years. She also became the first President and later a Treasurer for the Riverwalk Artisans. Also, Mitchel Plaza Gallery, run by Hank Burks, Karen and husband, Fred. Showing artwork of Riverwalk and individual people who did artwork. While with Riverwalk, she helped by painting canvases for the Public Library, East Hills Library, Washington Library, and Carnegie Library. Karen taught artwork for 34 years at Missouri Western College, from her home, Plum Fun Crafts, and House of Imagination.
Karen was also a part of the Joseph Robidoux Festival as a Chairman for Arts and Crafts. Fred and Karen did Santa’s Workshop at Holiday Park for 12 years. As well as displaying and helping run the Mitchell Park Plaza Gallery.
In 1974, she became a member of the National Society of Decorative Paints. Upon her death, she was a member from 1974 to 2021. She also joined the Heart of America Chapter of NSPP from 1974 to 2010.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; brother, Roger Anderson; and her beloved dog, Tuffy.
Survivors include her children, Greg Organ (Regina) and Keith Organ (Dana); grandchildren, Melissa Dominguez (Tony) and Alexandra Collins (Brandon); great-grandchildren, Dominic Hawley (Cecile), Jordan Adkins, Myley Hawley, Dallas and Hunter Collins; great-great-grandchildren, Jordan Adkins, Jr. and Axel Hawley; niece, Linda Duffy.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Noyes Home for Children or the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
