Karen Sue Barttelt Rose's Obituary
Karen Rose followed her path to the Lord on 1/13/2018 after an extended illness. She is survived by her husband of 33 years Christopher Richard, their daughter Katie Marie Rose Clayton (Jared), son Jack (John) Walter, her grandson Henry Earl Clayton, and brother John Clifford Barttelt of Jonesboro, AR. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Clifford Walter Barttelt and mother, Wanda Jean Johnson Barttelt of Ash Flat, Sharp County AR. She also leaves many nieces and nephews to mourn her passing. Karen was born in Houston, TX and moved to Sharp County, AR in her childhood. She graduated from Highland High School in 1976. After attending the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing she graduated in 1979 and became an RN at St. Francis Hospital. Karen left hospital nursing in 1982 to pursue a 10 year career in Occupational Health Nursing. Her career included Donruss, American Electric and Nationwide Insurance. In every position she focused on the health, safety, and well-being of everyone in her care. Karen left nursing in 1991 to pursue her true calling of full time wife and mother to her children. She was totally devoted to her family and supported her husband throughout his career. The wife of a small business owner is a special calling and she was the ultimate partner. Karen was enthusiastic about her charities and found many friendships while raising awareness for the organizations. She served on numerous church and school committees. Karen was a long time member of Madonna Circle serving on their board for several years. She served the FedEx St. Jude Classic on a number of committees eventually serving as Volunteer Coordinator for the tournament in 2012. Karen was an avid tennis player, loved the competition, but loved the friendships she’d made even more. She volunteered for the USTA and the Memphis Indoor Tennis Tournament for many years. Karen had a lifelong love of gardening eventually becoming a Master Gardener. She loved to nurture flowerbeds and gardens. She was always donating plants to family and friends reflecting her gift of giving. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 – 7pm. A rosary will be offered at 6:45pm. The funeral Mass will be on Friday at 1:00pm with interment and reception to follow. All services will be held at Church of the Incarnation – St. Terese Chapel, in Collierville, TN. Donations to Madonna Circle, 2300 Hickory Crest Dr., Memphis, TN 38119 may be made in lieu of flowers.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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