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Karen Merl Wells

Obituary

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Karen Wells Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 16, 2024.

Karen Merl Wells (Burk), age 80, of Temple Terrace, Florida passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, following her battle with leukemia. She fought so hard, but it was time for her to rest.

When we think of her, we see bright yellow hues, golden sunsets, and pure sunshine, even on rainy days. She will be missed more than we can even begin to put into words.

Born on October 14, 1943, in Saginaw, Michigan, Karen is the daughter of Merl and Jean Burk. She is survived by her loving husband of over 62 years, James "Jim" Wells; her daughter, Carole Dale (Paul) and grandchildren Madison and Anna; and her son, Greg Wells (Sallie) and grandchildren Paige, Andrew, and Lucas. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend who loved cooking, gardening, decorating, and creating a warm, welcoming home.

Karen was love and warmth and sunshine! Brought up in a loving home, she grew up to then create a beautiful life for her family.

From birth to three years old, Karen lived with her mom and grandparents in Michigan while her father served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

As was common at the time, Karen was ready to settle down and get married after high school. Karen and Jim met at a young age. They fell in love as teenagers and married as soon as Jim finished his service in the Navy. They spent the next 62 years building a beautiful life together.

When their children were in grade school Karen worked a few part-time jobs during school hours. In 1976, Karen and her family moved from Saginaw to the Detroit metro area where Jim accepted a commercial insurance management position. While Jim worked in management, Karen dedicated herself to raising their children and worked part-time in accounting.

Shortly after becoming empty-nesters, Karen and Jim moved to Tampa, FL. Karen worked at Burdines for a few years, then Karen and Jim decided to try their hand at more entrepreneurial endeavors and opened a video store in Carrollwood. Showtime Video was a huge success, so they opened a second location in Pinellas Park.

Karen was both driven and creative, so it is no surprise that both Karen and Jim were never lacking in new business ideas. A few years later, Blockbuster started opening up/taking over the market so they transitioned from Showtime Video to Showtime Vending. To enhance the vending business, Karen and Jim opened up Showtime Deli and Grille in downtown Tampa so they could make fresh meals and sandwiches for the vending business. Karen's daily specials at Showtime Deli and Grille brought in daily lines of customers lined up out the door, and are still missed by many! Karen and Jim sold the deli around the time their 4th grandchild, Madison, was born and Karen spent the next two years caring for Madison Monday through Friday. A true blessing. Karen and Jim's next and final venture was rehabbing houses and mobile homes. Karen was exceptionally talented at turning a run-down property into a beautiful home. She excelled at this new undertaking, as she had years of perfecting turning a house into a home.

Years later, Karen and Jim started their well-earned retirement where they spent much of their time in North Redington Beach watching the dolphins, going out with friends, listening to live music, dancing, and enjoying the sunsets.

Karen was a true friend and a "mom" to so many.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Karen's honor.

Please join us in memorializing her on:

Saturday, May 11, 2024, 12:00 - 3:00

Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club

200 Inverness Ave.

Temple Terrace, FL 33617

Refreshments Served: 12:00 - 12:30

The Celebration of Life Service: 12:30 - 1:00

Lunch and more Refreshments: 1:00 - 3:00

We encourage smart casual attire to reflect the club rules as well as the comfortable and warm spirit Karen always brought to gatherings.

For those unable to join us in person, we will provide a live video stream of the celebration via Facebook "live" on Carole's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carole.w.dale

We sincerely thank the hematology team at Moffitt Cancer Center for over 10 years of quality care for Karen. Donations can be made in her memory to Moffitt Cancer Center: www.give.moffitt.org

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Recent Activity

June 5, 2024

Pamela Ely posted to the memorial.

May 11, 2024

Jim & Christine Impink posted to the memorial.

May 11, 2024

Finnette Fabrick posted to the memorial.

13 Entries

Pamela Ely

June 5, 2024

Karen and I met on an airplane a couple of years ago and remained friends ever since. She was so open and friendly and we connected on so many levels. She was a kindred spirit. She was so positive that I was not even aware of her illness. I'm so sad to hear such a beautiful soul is gone, but what a wonderful life she created with her family and friends. Hugs and prayers for comfort and strength. The world wouldn't have any problems if folks lived life like Karen ... such a beautiful person inside and out. I met you in the clouds, Karen .... you've always been an angel with wings to me. Hugs up to heaven. Love from, Pam Ely, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Jim & Christine Impink

May 11, 2024

We had the pleasure of being Karen and Jim´s next door neighbors for many years in Temple Terrace. We enjoyed our friendship with them both. Karen was always a sweet person and always had a smile on her face. She enjoyed seeing our granddaughter Olivia growing up in through her toddler years. Even after we moved away we still kept in touch. We will really miss her.

Finnette Fabrick

May 11, 2024

I am one of the loud, lucky ladies from Karen's Bookclub. She graced us with her love, wisdom and unexpected humor! I'm glad we were all present on February 15th to tell her what we loved about her. A very long list! She then told us she may not see us again and we, of course, cried. No one can replace her. Her seat will be forever empty.
" She creates a spell around her, charming to the ear, the eye and the mind." Good Housekeeping Nov 1947

"She did not talk to people as if they were strange hard shells she had to crack open to get inside. She talked as if she were already in the shell. In their very shell."
Marita Bonner 1926
Thank you, Karen, for bathing us in your beautiful warm light of love.
Finnette

Kitty Ward

May 10, 2024

I´m going to really miss her warm and happy smile, her words of encouragement, her grace and compassion. She will always have a special place in my heart.

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Barbara Berberich

May 10, 2024

Our book club group could get loud. Karen was the calm presence who had something meaningful to say. She would surprise us with a funny story and always had a pearl of wisdom to share in anyone´s time of need. Her presence will be missed but her spirit felt in all of our hearts

Denise Gilmore

May 3, 2024

I met Karen a few years ago when Debbie invited her to Book Club. She was an interesting new addition to this group of strong personable women but she was immediately identified as a perfect fit. I looked forward to Karen's presence at Book Club. When Karen spoke up it resonated with all of us. She had a way with words that prompted Debbie to often follow with "what Karen said!". I have saved some of her texts to the book club that were particularly clever and heartfelt. She also told some humorous stories that all of us have on repeat when we are reminiscing about her. I hope Karen knew how much we all loved her. I was fortunate to have known her and will miss her greatly

Debbie Garbo

May 2, 2024

I am so very sorry to hear of Karen's passing. We would often chat, and I knew she was ill, but she handled her illness like she handled her life, with clarity and grace. We met through the video business many years ago. Over the years we developed a treasured friendship and in the most recent years she became a beloved member of our book cub. I admired her calm, accepting and compassionate nature. At the last meeting she was able to attend, we a took turns telling each person what we loved about them. I am so glad she got to hear just how much we thought of her. Hers was definitely a life well lived and an example to many of us. Rest in peace my friend.

Kristy Honaker

April 17, 2024

In the few short years I've known Karen she was such a joy to be around. If she didn't feel well or if she was feeling good she always keep the same good attitude about everything. She is going to be greatly missed bit never forgotten.

Marsha Allan Tyrrell

April 16, 2024

I will remember her everyday until I´m gone and then we will meet again. No one in my life was closer to me. We met and a friendship was born that moment that lasted 52 years. We often laughed and agreed we were as close as natural born sisters. We laughed, we cried, we shared and there wasn´t anything we couldn´t or wouldn´t share. She was loyal and trusted. We bore our children and loved our families. We gardened, we decorated, we walked and talked. She was always beautiful, loving, caring, dedicated and trustworthy. I never saw her angry. She loved her Jim and valued her choice of a wonderful man. They were an exceptional couple with loving children and grandchildren. Thank you for being my dear friend. It was an honor to call you friend. You met every definition of the word. "FRIEND".