TOPEKA — Karen D. “KW” Whitmer, Osage City, died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, at Stormont Vail Health, Topeka. She was 80.
Karen Diane Ehrlich was born March 16, 1942, in Bunker Hill, the daughter of William and Ruth LaVera (Deines) Ehrlich. She graduated from Dorrance High School in 1960.
She was joined in marriage to George M. Whitmer June 2, 1962, in Russell. To this union three children were born, Amy, Jeff and Joel.
Karen was a homemaker for her family. She enjoyed making her own cards, quilting, painting, playing guitar and fishing with George.
She lived in Ellinwood until 2006, and then moved to Osage City to be closer to her children. She was a member of the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Osage City, WELCA and the Osage County Senior Center.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, George.
She will be forever remembered by her daughter, Amy Whitmer (Kim Schuetz), Topeka; two sons, Jeff Whitmer (Pam), Osage City, and Joel Whitmer (Susan), Gardner; a twin sister, Marlene Longnecker, Mulvane; two brothers, Randy Ehrlich (Carol), Bunker Hill, and Jim Ehrlich, Russell; three grandchildren, Kevin, Nicholas and Ally Whitmer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Osage City. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, Osage City. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Dorrance City Cemetery, Dorrance.
Memorial contributions may be made to WELCA or the Karen D. Whitmer Memorial and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth St., Osage City, KS 66523.
Condolences may be left at VanArsdaleFS.com.
