Karen Lee Orahood

January 22, 2019

A graveside service is planned at a later date for Karen Lee Orahood, 82, Lamar, Missouri, who died Thursday, January 10, 2019, at Cox Barton County Hospital, after a brief illness.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oakton Cemetery, in care of Henry Morgan, 441 SW 40th Lane, Lamar, MO 64759.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Pauletta Orahood, Lamar, Missouri; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Jim Wakeem, Springfield, Missouri; two granddaughters and their spouses, Jennifer and Josh Phipps, Lamar, Missouri and Lindsay and Derek Forst, Sedalia, Missouri; three great-granddaughters, Avery Rose and Alyse Wakeem Forst and Korra Lee Phipps and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Rosenthal and a sister, Donna Kilpatrick.

Karen was born August. 13, 1936, in Kimball, Nebraska, to Gerald and Theo (Pope) Rosenthal. The Rosenthal and Pope families moved to Barton County in 1943. She attended rural schools and graduated from Lamar High School in 1954.

She worked for Rogers Flies & Lures for many years. The Onstott-Orahood Subdivision at Stockton Lake was developed when the lake was formed. Karen Lee Avenue was one of the names given to a street in her honor. She, along with her husband, Harry, established and operated The Mercantile antique shop in Lamar from 1981-85. Although The Mercantile closed, they spent many more years collecting antiques. Having a keen eye for unique items, she enjoyed traveling with her best friend, Dea, in search of hidden treasures. She was talented in many areas and was a good artist, wood carver, musician and quilter, leaving her family a storehouse of precious memories.

She married Harry Orahood on April 9, 1955. He died August 13, 2013.