Karen Ruth Lyons, 74, passed to the spirit side of life on Friday, March 14, at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas, with her spouse Linda at her side. She was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on December 3, 1950, the fourth of five children of Lyle and Alline (Arnette) Lyons. She attended schools in Burrton and Hutchinson, Kansas, and Middle Tennessee State University. Karen served as a Military Police officer in the U.S. Army for seven years and then as a recruiter for the U.S. Marine Corps. Following her military service, Karen became the first female officer in the Rice County Sheriff and Sterling Police Departments. She then worked at Hutchinson Correctional Facility as a Corrections Officer, Disciplinary Administrator, and retired as Lieutenant of the Intelligence and Investigations Unit. She worked another 15 years for the State of Kansas, Reno County Public Defender office as a Special Investigator.

Upon the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court allowing all people the privilege, Karen married Linda Lundberg on July 20, 2015, legally recognizing their 18-year committed relationship. Karen and Linda retired to their little piece of heaven in Wells, Kansas, where Karen served as President of the Board of Trustees at Sunset Spiritualist Church for 20 years.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Lloyd and Georgana Lundberg, step-son, Brett Anderson, sister-in-law, Diane Lyons, and many beloved family members and friends. She is survived by her spouse, Linda, siblings, Anthony, Roger, Joyce, and Ralph Lyons, sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Jay Myers, foster children, Stephanie (Brad) Norsworthy, Charity (Kenny) Burrows, and Adam Bradford, step-sons, Ryan Anderson and Marshall (Lindsay) Anderson, grandchildren, Whitney and Brett Norsworthy, Brett, Mattias, Kaden, Kaiya, and Kaleb Anderson, nieces, Tara, Mandie, Callie Lyons and Carly (Kyle) Hazelwood, nephews, Ty, Timothy (Nicole), Paul Lyons, and Curtis (Megan) Myers, great-nieces and nephews, aunts, Jean Arnette, Marilyn Opat, Judy (Jere) Ellis, many cousins, and countless friends, all of whom she loved endlessly.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, June 7, at Sunset Church in Wells, Kansas.

Memorials may be made to Sunset Church, 103 Hanes, Wells, Kansas, 67467.