Karen Sanders

Karen Leigh Sanders passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, in Olathe, Kansas, surrounded by family, close friends, and an abundance of love.

Born in Clovis, New Mexico, to James Cole Tucker and Janice Delia Tucker, Karen spent much of her childhood moving throughout the United States and Europe as the daughter of a military family. Alongside her brothers, Robin, David, and Gerald, she experienced life in many places before her family eventually settled in Arkansas. Some of Karen's fondest childhood memories were spent in Beaconsfield, England, surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the large extended family she remained close to throughout her life. Her English heritage was a source of pride and connection that she carried with her wherever she lived.

Karen attended Sylvan Hills High School, where she was active in music, church, and school activities. She played clarinet in junior high and later became a member of the Sylvan Hills Bruinettes drill team. Even as a teenager, Karen's creativity was impossible to miss. She often made her own clothes and even designed and sewed her own prom dress. She was also deeply involved in church during her teenage years, beginning a lifelong faith that would remain an important part of who she was.

At 16 years old, Karen experienced the loss of her father to throat and stomach cancer related to Agent Orange exposure during his military service. Through that difficult chapter, she watched her mother, Janice, lovingly raise four children with strength, grace, and determination. The experience deepened Karen's appreciation for family and the importance of showing up for the people you love - something she carried with her throughout her life.

Karen attended the University of Central Arkansas and later spent time in Dallas and Denver before making Overland Park, Kansas, her home in 1997.

Karen enjoyed a career in banking before dedicating herself to raising her daughter, Ashley. During those years, she became deeply involved in volunteering, particularly in schools and youth activities. Later, she worked as a paraprofessional, where she found great joy in supporting students and helping children who needed extra care and encouragement.

After decades of quietly facing chronic health challenges with remarkable resilience and optimism, Karen was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in December 2025. She pursued treatment with courage and determination, always focusing more on others than herself. Many people were surprised to learn how much she had endured over the years because she rarely allowed her health struggles to define her. Instead, she was known for her enthusiasm for life, her creativity, and her ability to make others feel welcome and loved.

Karen's faith was a guiding force throughout her life. She was a devoted member and volunteer at Blue Valley Church for decades, generously sharing her time, creativity, and talents wherever they were needed. She spent years volunteering in the church library, created countless banners and decorations, helped organize closets and storage areas, and poured her creativity into Vacation Bible School decorations and activities. If there was a project that needed sewing, crafting, decorating, or organizing, chances are Karen was involved.

Her faith and creativity often worked hand in hand. Through Women's Mission initiatives and other service projects, she sewed thousands of reusable sanitary cloths for women in need around the world. Even in her final months, she continued creating for others, crocheting hundreds of winter hats for mission efforts. Karen never stopped looking for ways to use her gifts to serve others, and some of her happiest moments were spent creating something that would brighten someone else's life.

Karen was a gifted seamstress, scrapbooker, crafter, and gardener. Her work could be found in homes throughout the Kansas City area, and her beloved English-style gardens reflected both her creativity and her deep connection to her English heritage. Looking back, Karen's gifts were never really sewing, baking, gardening, or crafting. Those were simply the ways she loved people.

Karen's generosity touched countless lives. Many of Ashley's friends considered her a second mom, former coworkers remembered her ability to connect with struggling students, and friends recalled her famous chocolate chip cookies, handmade gifts, and welcoming spirit. She truly never met a stranger and had a remarkable gift for making people feel valued and loved.

Karen's favorite subject was her daughter, Ashley. If you spent more than a few minutes with her, chances are she found a way to tell you how proud she was. Later, she became an equally devoted Gigi to her grandchildren, Finley and Pierce, delighting in making memories with them through baking, crafts, shopping trips, and celebrations.

Karen will be remembered for her contagious laugh, her warm smile, her creativity, her generosity, and her ability to turn ordinary moments into cherished memories. She loved gathering people in her home, hosting bunco and celebrations, cheering on the Denver Broncos, watching NCIS reruns, creating beautiful things, and making others feel at home.

Most of all, she will be remembered for the way she loved.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, James Cole Tucker; her mother, Janice Delia Tucker; and her sister-in-law, Ginny Tucker.

She is survived by her daughter, Ashley Foster, and son-in-law, Nick Foster; her beloved grandchildren, Finley and Pierce Foster; her brothers, Robin Tucker, David Tucker, and Gerald Tucker; her sister-in-law, Christine Tucker; her niece, Justene; her nephew, James Cole Tucker, his wife, and their daughters; extended family throughout Arkansas, England, and beyond; and countless friends whose lives were brighter because of her presence.

Karen spent her final days surrounded by family, close friends, stories, laughter, tears, and love. Her family finds comfort in knowing that the kindness, creativity, laughter, and love she shared so freely will continue to live on in the lives she touched. As her health declined, Karen found peace in the faith that had guided her throughout her life and comfort in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Karen's family extends their deepest gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and staff at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, the Palliative Care team, and Ascend Hospice. Their extraordinary compassion and care supported not only Karen, but our entire family, and helped make her final days peaceful, comfortable, and filled with love. A special thank you to Haley, Lauren, and Laura, who cared for Karen with such tenderness and became a source of comfort and strength for all of us.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Blue Valley Church on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

In honor of Karen, guests are invited to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable. Rather than traditional funeral attire, the family encourages bright and cheerful colors. Red was Karen's favorite color, and she could often be found wearing a pop of red, yellow, or coral. We hope the room reflects the warmth, joy, creativity, and vibrant spirit she brought to the lives of so many.

Karen's family invites all who knew and loved her to join them in celebrating a life filled with creativity, laughter, service, faith, and love.