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Karen Ann Spengler

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Rockhurst University

Karen Spengler Obituary

Karen Ann Spengler, 56, passed away on January 1, 2009, at her home in Kansas City, Mo., after a 12-year, incredibly courageous battle with breast cancer. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 6415 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo. Burial will be in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Scipio, Kan. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, January 5, 2009, at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Turning Point Cancer Support Center, PO Box 10486, Kansas City, MO 64171. Karen was born June 7, 1952, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Robert Spengler and Jean Steinbacher Spengler. She graduated from Bishop O'Hara High School in Raytown, Mo., in 1970, and then earned a BS in accounting from Rockhurst University in 1974. She was granted her certificate as a certified public accountant in 1977. Karen worked for the Arthur Anderson Accounting Firm early in her career. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Karen went on to build two successful businesses. Her CPA business, Karen A. Spengler, Chtd., served many business owners, both in the U.S. and internationally. Karen realized her biggest dream in 2000 when she opened I Love A Mystery Bookstore. She developed a following of loyal and avid mystery readers and authors. The store has been featured many times in publications because of its unique decor, warmth, and success. In 2007, I Love A Mystery earned the coveted 25 Under 25 award from the KC Small Business Journal, and over the years, Karen's store has hosted countless book signings, book club sessions and other events for her loyal customers. Karen gave of her time and talent in supporting many non-profit organizations. She served on the board of Mattie Rhoades and the American Red Cross. She was a founding member of the Glad Tidings Choir. Turning Point Cancer Support Center provided her many friends and much support through her long battle with cancer. Karen will be remembered by her family and friends as a confident woman who lived life to the fullest, even after her diagnosis of cancer. Karen was preceded in death by her father Robert Spengler in 1998. She is survived by her mother Jean Spengler; two goddaughters, Sarah and Kaitlyn West; as well as numerous friends and family. (Arr.: McGilley State Line Chapel, 816-942-6180.)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Kansas City Star on Jan. 4, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Karen Spengler

20 Entries

Corinne Corley

February 7, 2009

I was out of town when Karen passed away, and did not find out about it for a couple of weeks. When I did, I was saddened but also, somewhat glad that she will no longer suffer. She was courageous and inspirational. I will always be grateful for having known her.

Susan McBride

January 16, 2009

I am still digesting the news of Karen's passing and am so saddened by it. She was such a cool person and such a friend to so many. I knew Karen when I became published in mystery, years before I would go through my own experience with breast cancer. She was a hero to me first because of her deep love of the mystery genre and her support of its authors; and later, when I better understood, for her struggle to beat the odds (which she did for a long, long while). She's still a hero in my eyes, and she will be greatly missed by so many people whose lives she touched along the way.

Mary Pebley

January 11, 2009

I just read the tribute to Karen in the Kansas City Star and I am so sad to hear of her death. I met Karen ar Turning Point, the Center for Hope and Healing and admired her strength and courage in battling her cancer. I am living with breast cancer too and she was an inspiration. My thoughts are with you at this sad time. I am happy to know that her spirit will live on in her bookstore!

Jeff Endacott

January 9, 2009

Getting to know Karen was a real pleasure, during the process of her purchase of our building on Johnson drive. Our family is saddened by your loss.

Mary Iorio

January 7, 2009

I looked up to Karen. She was a wonderful example of a can-do woman. May she always be remembered for all the help she gave to people (including authors getting started) and for being a nice person.

Jeff Abbott

January 6, 2009

My deepest sympathies. Karen was a friend to authors and readers and a wonderful bookseller.

Patrick Balester

January 6, 2009

When I moved to Kansas City, one of the first places I visited was the ILAM bookstore. It was a treat just to browse the shelves. I last saw Karen at a library reading for Michael Dymmoch and Libby Fischer Hellmann in 2008. She didn't just sell mystery books...she loved and supported the genre. She will be greatly missed.

Sandi Ault

January 6, 2009

I will always remember Karen's vivacious personality from my first tour for WILD INDIGO, when I was invited to sign at I Love A Mystery and we packed the store and sold out of books! Karen and her staff were wonderfully welcoming to me as a new author in the genre. And again, the Spengler spirit surrounded us when when we all returned to ILAM for the WILD INFERNO tour in 2008. Karen created a memorable venue for book-lovers and authors to meet in person, and a wonderful place where fans of the mystery genre could encounter their favorite authors on the shelf, too. I deeply regret that she couldn't be present when I Love A Mystery hosts the launch of WILD SORROW at the Shawnee Indian Mission this coming March. Because of her enthusiastic promotion of my series and of the mystery genre, we will no doubt have another standing-room-only crowd. We will hold Karen in our hearts as we go forward, and especially when we gather there, and remember her strength and goodness. I will miss her, as will all mystery authors, as a champion of the genre and a remarkable human being.

Amy Flatt

January 5, 2009

Dear Aunt Jean and family,

My deepest sympathy goes to you and yours. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Angie (Shinkle) Price

January 5, 2009

Dear Aunt Jean,
My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight. I wish I could be there for the services to honor Karen's life. I will always remember her as my gracious cousin with the cute turned up nose. I always wanted to be clean and neat and organized like her!! (Farm kids had a tough time staying clean way back when!) Funny what we see and appreciate in others, isn't it.
Love to you and the rest of our family. I will be with you in spirit tomorrow.

Jacque Robb

January 5, 2009

I only knew Karen through ILAM and always enjoyed visiting with her as well as the many things she did for fellow mystery readers. Although I didn't realize it at first, she had already begin her battle with cancer when we met. I never saw her be anything but kind and pleasant even when it was obvious she wasn't feeling well. Her courageous spirit is an inspiration to us all and she will be greatly missed.

JT Ellison

January 5, 2009

I was so sorry to hear this news - Karen was a lovely woman and she will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to the ILAM family.

Paula Schwach

January 5, 2009

Karen was a member of the Mattie Rhodes board when I became a member. She offered sage advice on budgetary items and systems and impressed us all with her entreprenurial spirit when she started I Love a Mystery. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Karen's family and friends.

Roberta Isleib

January 5, 2009

She was a lovely woman and especially kind to mystery writers--helping new kids on the block learn the ropes and make friends. RIP Karen.

Amanda Sheridan

January 5, 2009

I knew Karen through the bookstore and one of the ILAM reading groups. She was a beautiful person who always made everyone who came into the store feel welcome. Karen could always suggest a new mystery series that someone would love. She was very special and will be missed by all.

DEBBIE SCHONFELDT(CROMWELL)

January 4, 2009

KAREN WAS A REALLY GREAT LADY. I WENT THROUGH GRADE SCHOOL AND O'HARA H.S. WITH HER AND SHE WAS PART OF OUR LONG LASTING GIRLS GROUP. WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TOGETHER AS MUCH THESE LAST FEW YEARS BUT SHE WILL BE MISSED AND LOVED.

Janet Reid

January 4, 2009

Karen was a gracious hostess for mystery authors on book tours, including one of my clients, Eric Stone. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, and knew of her.

Lise McClendon

January 4, 2009

We will miss you, Karen. Such a force in the mystery world, a passionate advocate who did so much for me and many authors. Her indomitable spirit and caring heart live on in the people she touched. Rest now.

Carol Cunningham

January 4, 2009

I only knew Karen for a brief time through a friend of mine who knew her through the Turning Point get-togethers.
My thoughts are with you at this time and in the days ahead.

Frances Rove

January 4, 2009

I will miss Karen more than I can express. She was my friend to the end and helped me both personally and professionally when we both worked for the Public Administrator's office. She was always a bright spot in any day whether it was a phone call or a visit from Karen. I know she has many, many friends and family members who feel the same way about her even after her battle with cancer began. God bless you, Karen. And God bless us all without you.....

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