Karen Raye Mendenhall

Karen Raye Mendenhall passed away in Oklahoma City following a brief illness. She was born July 5, 1940, in Little Sioux, IA. Karen grew up in Iowa and graduated from Pisgah, IA, high school. She went to Graceland College in Lamoni, IA for one year before attending and graduating from the Mercy School of Nursing at Council Bluffs, IA. After becoming a Registered Nurse in 1964, she moved to Dallas. She moved to Oklahoma City in 1969 to be closer to her sister and was employed as an Occupational Health Nurse. Following her retirement, she became very active at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church and in the Catholic Community. At the church, Karen served in the Stephen Ministry and Health Ministry as well as taught Religious Education. She was a member of Oklahoma Catholic Women's Conference and served as President for two years. She loved to read and participated in book reviews at both the Y and the church. She enjoyed playing dominoes with the "Domino Dolls". She was preceded in death by her father, Stanley Mendenhall, who was killed during WWII, and her mother, Charlene Mendenhall-Niles. She is survived by her twin sister, Mary Heinen of Oklahoma City and two sisters from Iowa, Barbara Barrett (Gayle) and Lori Geiger (Dave). Additional survivors include a niece, Jill Duncan (Scott); four nephews, Mark Heinen (Amy), John Heinen (Carmen), Frank Barrett (Carmen) and Adam Barrett (Tiffany); and numerous great nieces, nephews, and friends. Friends may visit at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home from 10 am to 5 pm Monday, July 2, followed by an Evening Prayer Service at 6 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at 10 am at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.