In Memory Of
Karen L. Franklin
1943
2023
Karen L. Franklin
December 8, 1943 — February 18, 2023
Karen Lynn (Holland) Franklin, 79, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, February 18, 2023.
She was born December 8, 1943, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, the daughter of Dick Dempsey and Velma Toncha (Fry) Holland. She was a graduate of Salina High School and received a bachelor's degree in microbiology from the University of Kansas.
Karen was employed as a microbiologist in the bacteriology lab of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for 45 years, retiring in 2011.
She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority at KU.
Karen married Terry P. Franklin on May 2, 1981, in Topeka, Kansas. He survives. Other survivors include four children, Joshua David Buntain of Spokane, WA, Jessica Rose (Franklin) Daniels of Topeka, KS, Aaron Daniel Franklin of Brooklyn, NY, and Andrew Michael Franklin; six grandchildren, Cassandra, Abigail, Emma, Jack, Emily, and Michael; and three brothers, Gordon Holland of Lawrence, KS, Paul Holland of Loveland, CO and Cullen Holland of Lawrence, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Karen was a voracious reader, she recorded having read over 2000 books in the last 30 years. She was a lover of all animals, but especially cats and corgis. Karen enjoyed discussing literature, history, movies, and current events and was a three time library trivia champion. Her kids will remember her as a loving and supportive mother who was always there—with a book in her hand. She was a devoted patron of the Topeka and Shawnee County library, provided a good home to numerous cats and dogs over the years including two very spoiled corgis, and she gave generously to many wildlife and conservation societies.
A celebration of Karen's life will be from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm Monday, February 27, 2023 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Mid-Town Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604 or Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604.
To leave a message for Karen's family, please visit the guestbook below.
She was born December 8, 1943, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, the daughter of Dick Dempsey and Velma Toncha (Fry) Holland. She was a graduate of Salina High School and received a bachelor's degree in microbiology from the University of Kansas.
Karen was employed as a microbiologist in the bacteriology lab of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for 45 years, retiring in 2011.
She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority at KU.
Karen married Terry P. Franklin on May 2, 1981, in Topeka, Kansas. He survives. Other survivors include four children, Joshua David Buntain of Spokane, WA, Jessica Rose (Franklin) Daniels of Topeka, KS, Aaron Daniel Franklin of Brooklyn, NY, and Andrew Michael Franklin; six grandchildren, Cassandra, Abigail, Emma, Jack, Emily, and Michael; and three brothers, Gordon Holland of Lawrence, KS, Paul Holland of Loveland, CO and Cullen Holland of Lawrence, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Karen was a voracious reader, she recorded having read over 2000 books in the last 30 years. She was a lover of all animals, but especially cats and corgis. Karen enjoyed discussing literature, history, movies, and current events and was a three time library trivia champion. Her kids will remember her as a loving and supportive mother who was always there—with a book in her hand. She was a devoted patron of the Topeka and Shawnee County library, provided a good home to numerous cats and dogs over the years including two very spoiled corgis, and she gave generously to many wildlife and conservation societies.
A celebration of Karen's life will be from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm Monday, February 27, 2023 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Mid-Town Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604 or Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604.
To leave a message for Karen's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen L. Franklin, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Monday, February 27, 2023
6:00 - 7:30 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
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