Karen Irene Pettet, 41, was born on November 20th, 1975, and left this world on September 1st, 2017. She was born and raised in Springfield and resided in Battlefield. She attended Kickapoo High School and later went to college and received a medical assisting degree. Karen worked with Dr. Michael Hanks on two separate occasions where she was a valued employee as a medical assistant. Over the last nine years, Karen tended bar at the Silverleaf Taproom.
Karen had a passion for the outdoors. She enjoyed spending time at the rivers with her boys swimming and kayaking. She loved backyard bonfires and spending time with her family and friends. She was a loyal Chiefs fan and enjoyed going to games at Arrowhead or watching them with her friends. Karen loved music and you could always find her listening to The Grateful Dead. She could sing along to every song played on the jukebox at the Leaf.
In 2003 Karen was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which was a battle that she fought and won. Later in life Karen started having seizures. Then, in October of 2016 she battled kidney failure. Karen's life wasn't easy, but she faced each day and lived life to the fullest. She never met a stranger and there wasn't a person she met that she didn't positively impact. Her contagious smile will be deeply missed by all.
Karen was preceded in death by her cousin, Tiffany Neill-Cordry, who lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 28. She is also preceded in death by her grandparents, Mary Neill and John Thomas, and Alma and Leland Pettet.
Karen is survived by the loves of her life, her four children, Travis Pettet, Dylan Vitale, Liam Vitale and Keegan Pettet; her parents, Larry and Carolyn Pettet; her sisters Melinda Walton and her fiancé Duffie Bowen, Dana Young and her husband William; nieces and nephews Jordon Walton, Marcus Walton, Keyana Pettet, Kaydon Robinson, Nathaniel Young and Charles Young; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and her abundant number of friends.
Services for Karen will be on Saturday, September 9th, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, September 8th, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Karen, you were loved by all that knew you and will be missed greatly. Rest in Peace our dear friend.

"Sometimes the lights all shining on me, other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange road it's been."

~Jerry Garcia~

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