My mom touched many people throughout her life. I will attempt a brief summary here, but please feel free to add to it as I certainly cannot begin to express the depth of her being in a few words.

She was born Barbara Karen Carlile, but preferred to go by the name Karen. Mom lived in Tucson, AZ as a young girl and moved to the Quad Cities area during high school. She graduated from UTHS, married Hank Scheff, and had a son and a daughter. She and Hank moved to Port Byron and built a home on Hank's parents' farm land.

On the farm, Karen and Hank raised their kids...and Angus cattle...and many horses...and springer spaniels...and multiple cats...and they also farmed the fields of corn. Karen managed all of this while working in her "beauty shop" in the basement of the house, so she could be closer to her kiddos as they were growing up. In their spare time, the family liked to go boating on the Mississippi, go camping at Camp Hauberg, and spend time laughing with friends.

When she and Hank divorced in the early 80s, Karen moved to Silvis, bought a hair salon on 1st Avenue, and named it First Impressions Styling Salon. She hired some wonderful hairdressers who became lifelong friends. She also met and fell in love with Beverly Russell during this new stage in her life. Mom had a large group of close friends who always seemed to be supportive and caring.

In the early 2000's, Karen decided it was time to retire so she sold the salon. She and Bev packed up their things and moved to Lebanon, MO to be nearer to Bev's brother Jim and his wife Kathy. They lived rich, adventure-filled lives in Missouri and were always ready for a road trip. They had a wonderful yard which Mom loved to tend to each season. They took care of endless species of birds, who frequently stopped by and visited the many feeders on the property.  When time permitted, they liked to sneak off and visit a casino to pull the "one-armed bandits". 

Missouri was beautiful, but time was ticking on and maintaining the large yard was becoming a lot to handle. Mom and Bev talked of moving to a warmer climate, with a smaller yard to care for. They decided upon Los Lunas, NM which is a suburb of Albuquerque. 

With the real estate market as it was, it took a few years for them to sell their Missouri home. Finally, in the summer of 2012 that wish came true. Mom and Bev were sad to leave Kathy, who had become a close and wonderful friend.  Mom said they couldn't have made the move without Kathy's help.

Just as they were getting settled in New Mexico, in September 2012, Mom started complaining of back pain. She said she had lots of plans for this next new chapter, and as soon as her back felt better she would be up and about. Unfortunately, that never happened. I am grateful that she got to NM, but sorry that she did not get to enjoy life any longer. Mom, safe travels and always know that "I love you bunches".   

Throughout her life, Mom almost always had a pet--usually at least one dog. Through these years, she loved and cared for some wonderful pets that I will not forget. I recall Buffy, Brandy, Dusty, Chino, Callie, Tiger, Max, Bing, Dawsie, Frankie, Marty, Bailey, Mattie, Mavis, Shafer, and Riley (and I may be missing a few).  When she would come to visit me, my dogs Winston and Daisy loved her as well. She had a sign in her office that said "Help me to be the person my dogs think I am." Mission accomplished, mom.