Karen Anne Lester, the daughter of Victor John and Mildred Anna (Meyer) Hoemann, was born July 8, 1946, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Karen attended Nebraska City High School, Nebraska City, graduating in 1964. She then attended Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business in 1968.

On June 15, 1969, Karen was united in marriage to Leslie Paul Lester in Nebraska City. They made their home in Tarkio, Missouri and became the parents of four children, L. John, Lucretia Kay, Duane Paul, and Matthew David.

Karen was employed as a teacher by Sidney, Iowa and Tarkio schools. She then worked as a bookkeeper for Lester Redi-Mix and Friendly Boys Lumber, Tarkio. Karen was then employed as a manager and bookkeeper of KTRX radio station, Tarkio. In 1996, Karen served as 1st Public Administrator in Atchison County until retiring in 2011.

Karen was a member of United Methodist Church, Tarkio, past member of Walnut Chapter #532, Order of the Eastern Star, and Friendship Club. She was also a member of Xi Eta Nu Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Karen took great pride in her grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with her family. She always loved hearing a good joke. Karen passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port, Missouri, at the age of 78.

Besides her parents, Karen was preceded in death by daughter, Lucretia Kay Lester; granddaughter, Karen Arcoseba Lester; brothers, Robert, Duane, and Keith Hoemann. Survivors include husband, Leslie Paul Lester, Tarkio; children, L. John (Julianna) Lester, Duane Paul (Sara) Lester, both of Tarkio, and Matthew David (Alyssa) Lester, Woodbridge, Virginia; stepson, Ronnie (Trudy) Baker, Fairfax, Missouri; grandchildren, Andrew, Lucretia “Annie”, and Nicholas (Amber) Lester, Anna (Billy) Wallace, Matthew, Willa, Reagan, Jacob, Silas, Jeremiah, Marvel, and John Abraham Lester, Jameson and Grayson Lester, Michael (Katherine) Baker-Rosas and Kate Baker; great grandchildren, Treyvin Lester, Makenna, Ethan, and Noah Lester, William Wallace, and Waylon James Baker-Rosas; siblings, Kathleen (Richard) Rattell, Severn, Maryland and Gary (Maryanne) Hoemann, Knoxville, Tennessee; numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Good News Church, Tarkio.

Open visitation will begin 9:00 A.M., Monday, July 29, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 A.M., Tuesday, prior to the service.

Private family inurnment will be held at a later date, Home Cemetery, Tarkio.

Memorials: American Cancer Society.

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

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