Karen Joyce was born to Albert and Esther (Stolz) Schlichenmayer on January 16, 1946 in Stratton, Colorado.  Karen attended K-12 schools in Laird, Ritzus, Hale and Idalia, and graduated from Wray High School in 1964.

Karen was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bethune, Colorado, and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington.

Karen attended college at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado where she met her first husband Lyle Waters. Karen and Lyle married in 1966, and attended Adams State University in Alamosa, where Karen earned a BA degree in Education. The Waters resided in Cope and Alamosa, then Woodlin, Colorado and had two sons, Doug and Mike.

After Lyle's death, Karen moved to Bird City, KS where she met and married Douglas Flemming in 1980. They resided on the Flemming farm south of Bird City and had two sons, Josh and Drew.

Karen worked as an elementary and special education teacher in Woodlin, Colorado and at Cheylin.  After retirement from teaching, Karen continued work at the county Appraiser's Office, Designs Unlimited, then Simply Sorting company and substitute teaching.

Karen's hobbies and passions included gardening and yard plantings, 4-H, antiques, and yard sales. Karen's flowers and yard décor were always beautifully maintained and a joy to all visitors.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents Albert and Esther, sister Laura Kirby, first husband Lyle Waters, cousin Butch Beckstrom, and several aunts and uncles.

Surviving family include husband Douglas, sons Doug and Judy Waters, Mike and Amy Waters, Josh and Jackie Flemming, Drew and Dennon Flemming; grandchildren Ellen and Andrew McCloskey, Owen Waters, Brynn Waters, Cayle Neumann (Amanda Miller), Dylan Flemming, Ainsley Flemming, Clade Flemming, and great-granddaughter Hayden McCloskey.

Services will be held at Immanuel United Methodist Church, Bird City, KS, with burial at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bethune, CO.

Memorial donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bethune, CO; Immanuel United Methodist Church, Bird City, KS; or the  Cheyenne County 4-H Council.