Karen Deann Beeks

66, passed away August 4, 2007 in Littleton, following a stroke and complications. Born February 4, 1941 to Cyril Schmidt and Sylvia Mattison Schmidt in Williston ND. Karen was raised and attended Williston schools, where she graduated from Williston High School in 1959. After high school, she had various jobs. She was married August 25, 1962 to Carl Bartels of Williston in Minot ND. To this union two daughters were born; Karlona Le and Kirsten Marie. They were divorced in 1966. While employed by Amerada Petroleum she met the love of her life, Wayne Beeks of Washburn, ND. They were married May 22, 1971. To this union, was blessed with daughter Kandyce Lyn creating a loving family with her three daughters. Because their lives were in the oil business they lived in Canada and Indonesia and traveled extensively all over the world. She had a distinguished academic career at UCD obtaining her BS and MS degrees in Political Science. Her career as a woman's advocate was also long and just as distinguished. Among these many accomplishments included the Annual Legislative Breakfast, coordinator for numerous conventions on women's issues including the "Beijing and Beyond" Conference. Karen was a co-editor of Trafficking and the Global Sex Industry, published in 2006. Karen was a fund-raiser, volunteer, consultant, and a devoted humanitarian. She is survived by her husband, Wayne, daughters Karlona (Boris) Dimoff, Kirsten (Darwin) Horan, Kandyce Beeks (significant Kirk Palenik); sisters Sharon (Jim) Moline, Donna (Joel) Goranson and brother Ronald (Deborah) Schmidt, as well as many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren and other family. Karen is preceded in death by her parents and young brother, David. Memorial Service will take place Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 10:00am at Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd. Littleton 80121. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Denver Dumb friends League 2080 S. Quebec Denver, CO 80231.