Karen Rae McKissick

Karen McKissick, a whirlwind of energy, generosity, laughter and fun, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2026, just hours before her 79th birthday, leaving behind a legacy as vibrant as the life she lived.

Born on October 3, 1947, Karen approached the world with a relentless drive and a heart that knew no limits. She built an enriching career in finance, earning her stockbroker’s license, managing portfolios, and serving as a comptroller for her family’s development company with sharp intellect and savvy. Yet, for all her professional achievements, her true masterpiece was the family she fiercely loved and the community she tirelessly supported.

To say Karen was active would be an understatement; in the minds of those who knew and loved her, she rarely sat down before she was 70 years old. She moved through life at top speed, bringing an over-the-top enthusiasm to everything she touched. Whether she was organizing a family gathering or simply packing an after-school snack for her grandchildren she did it with flair, unmatched style, and absolute devotion.

Her generosity was legendary, and her fun-loving spirit was infectious. As a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (Nana), she was the ultimate matriarch—the one who made every gathering a spectacle, every birthday an event, and every ordinary day feel like a celebration. She left her family a beautiful blueprint: to live with courage, fill the world with laughter, and give generously of themselves.

Karen believed deeply in lifting up the world around her. A passionate benefactor of local staples like PBS and the Humane Society, she and her husband went even further to make a tangible difference by providing critical affordable housing for single mothers and young men in recovery. Her profound love for animals was a foundational part of who she was, a beautiful truth seen daily in her bond with her deeply loved, delightfully spoiled little dog, Ziggy, who brought immense joy to her later years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Michael McKissick; her sister, Vicki Hamende; and her parents, Budd and Yvonne Hamende. She is survived by her children, Yvonne (Charles) Willemann III, Shannon (Anthony) Grasso, and Devon (Penny) McKissick; her grandchildren, Michael (Sisi) Thurman, Lauren (Riley) Struble, Charlie Willemann IV, Carter Willemann, and Logan Willemann; her great-grandchildren, Easton and Dawson Struble, and Sofia and Josephine Thurman. All will deeply miss her.

A private celebration of Karen’s life will be held in Monterey Bay where her ashes will be scattered at sea with those of her husband, Michael. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her honor to Pathways Hospice of Northern Colorado, whose team members provided compassionate care in the final months of her life.