Karen Sue (Barstow) Liby, of Hutchinson, Kansas, was a loving mother and grandmother and a loyal sister and friend. Karen passed away peacefully in her home on June 2, 2024 at the age of 80, surrounded by loved ones. She was a devoted mother to her children: Curt Liby, of Andover, Kansas, Jamie Bleything, of Hutchinson, Kansas, and Justin (Kara) Liby, of Leawood Kansas. She is survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Karen was born to Waldo and Mary (Freeman) Barstow on November 7, 1943 in Great Bend, Kansas and was one of six sisters: Sally (Gene) Mace, of Peoria, Illinois, Katie (Wes) Reazin, of Hutchinson, Helen (Donald) Douglas, of Sharon Springs, Kansas, Vicki Leiker, of Wallace, Kansas, and Janie (Dick) Russell, of Hutchinson.
Karen was raised in the Wallace County ranching and farming community of Sharon Springs, Kansas. Her parents owned a cattle ranch southwest of town. She graduated from Wallace County High School in 1961. She worked a variety of jobs in her lifetime including as a police dispatcher and meter maid in Great Bend. She held several secretarial positions. Later in her life, Karen felt a calling to enter the nursing profession. She became an RN and worked at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kansas, for most of her career.
Karen had numerous interests and hobbies throughout her life. She had a real estate agent license and a pilot’s license. She had a knack for tastefully renovating and decorating her homes. Karen enjoyed working in her flower gardens and maintaining her lawn. Walking, reading Western novels, and listening to music were some of her other favorite activities. She was an excellent cook. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday and she prepared delicious dinners for her family.
She is survived by: her three children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, four sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by: her parents, and sister, Helen.
Karen will be honored at a private Celebration of Life and will rest next to her parents at the Sharon Springs Cemetery.