Karen Gayle (Schroeder) Williams was born June 19, 1955 in Rolla, MO, to Orval and Waneta (Licklider) Schroeder—the first girl born to the Schroeder family for over 100 years! She spent her childhood until age 18 in Rosati, MO, attended first grade in Rosati, and grades 2-12 at Crawford County R-II school in Cuba, MO. Karen was a four year-member of National Honor Society, and she received a $500 award for the highest sales, in fundraising for her class senior trip.

Her first job was inspector for International Shoe Co., where she met her future husband, James "Jim" Williams. When International suddenly closed after three months, Karen found two temp. jobs:  People's Bank in Cuba, MO, as a bookkeeper; then as secretary at Vessel & Bahr Furniture store in Rolla. Finally, she worked six (6) years for Kaeding's IGA in St. James as a cashier, and was a seamstress at California Manufacturing, St. James, for four (4) more years.

James and Karen were united in marriage December 21, 1974, at Flag Springs country church, and made their home at 210 N. Wishon in St. James—the same house where James had spent his childhood. Together, they enjoyed gardening, herbs, flowers, woodworking, home-improvement projects, barbecuing and swimming in their backyard, and their little Westie dog, Rosie. They were married for 42 years, until James' death, October 12, 2016.

Karen was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Oscar and Sadie (Monda) Licklider; paternal grandparents Otto Schroeder and Irene (Stellman) (Schroeder) Newell; her parents Orval and Waneta Schroeder, brother Kevin Schroeder; special little 2nd cousin Casey Jo Licklider, her husband James P. Williams and mother-in-law, Lena (Orso) Williams.

Karen loved poetry, and quotes from her Grandmother Sadie Licklider's King James Bible. On their repentance and confession of faith, Karen and James were immersed into Christ in their swimming pool, by the Flags Springs church minister. Karen became involved with free-lance writing and design, and had a book published for Leisure Arts Corp., Little Rock, AR, released in 1991.  She had mastered 139 different crafts, but most enjoyed tatting! Karen was very sentimental and made some old-fashioned items for her grand-nephews, Renaissance dress-ups and doll clothes for her grand-nieces, as well as designing and sewing beautiful family albums for each member of the extended family.

Karen is survived by many Licklider first cousins; her niece Sara Schroeder (Kevin) Tune of Hermann, MO; stepson Michael Williams (Lorna) and Corbin Williams, all of Kimberling City, MO; brothers- and sisters-in-law Kenneth (Jerri) Williams, Rose Mary (Lonnie) Spencer, Ruth Ann (Larry) Ness; nieces and nephews Dawn Williams Kennedy, John D. (Kymberly) Williams, Jeffrey Spencer, Christina Spencer Cresswell, Bryan Ness, Andy (Erin) Ness; and grand-nieces and nephews, Grace, Malachi, Rachel, Josiah, Audrey, Dylan, Tucker, Zachary, Taelyn and Blake.

Karen Williams, age 67, was found September 13, 2022, at home. Cremation was chosen, and a private committal service and internment of ashes will occur at a later date.