Karen D. Fitzmier

Karen D. Fitzmier, age 80, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024. She was born on August 26, 1943 to William Henry Crocker and Jean (Halley) Crocker in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Karen was a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Karen was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Later her family moved to Derby, Kansas as her father was working for Boeing. She graduated from Derby high school and continued her education at Southwestern college and later Wichita State University and graduated with a bachelor degree. Karen later moved to California where she met her husband Arnold (Ted) Fitzmier in 1964. In 1976 they moved to Maize.
She started serving the Maize community in 1976 as the city clerk for 16 years. Also in 1976, she became a council member. Karen served on the council until 2024 when she retired. She also served as the mayor for 4 years during this time. Karen also worked for the Maize school district as a registrar at Maize high school for 17 years.
Karen was very active in her church, Northwest Free Methodist. She traveled to Mexico to help build a church, and enjoyed that very much. She loved talking about and sharing her walk with our Lord and spreading the gospel.
Karen's hobbies were spending time with her three sons' and their families. She loved to go camping with family and friends. All her grandchildren's sports and activities. Bunko / canasta with all her girlfriends and family. Game nights with the family.
Karen always had open arms to anyone that needed a helping hand or just a hug. She loved serving her community, Maize is a very special place in her heart. She was very humble and always wanted to stay out of the limelight.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Jean Crocker; husband, Arnold "Ted" Fitzmier; and brother, Terry Crocker.
Karen is survived by her sons, Tim (Becky) Fitzmier, Todd (Toddi) Fitzmier and Tedd (Nikki) Fitzmier; grandchildren, Garrett Fitzmier, Levi Fitzmier, Tyanna Fitzmier, Kyla (Fitzmier) Sternlof, Madison (Fitzmier) Brandt, Quinn Turnbull, Blake Fitzmier, Talon Fitzmier, Seth Fitzmier, Jake Fitzmier, Aryann Fitzmier, Chase Martin, Colby Martin and Casey Martin; great-grandchildren, Cash Fitzmier, Dixie Fitzmier, Trinity Fitzmier, Asher Sterlof, Ruby Fitzmier, Oaklynn Sternlof, and expecting 3 new great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
A Celebration of Life Service for Karen will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 13, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 645 North 119th Street West, Wichita, Kansas 67235.
Memorial contributions in Karen's memory can be made to: Smidderks Methodist World Missions at https://give.fmcusa.org/donation/df-mstgsmidderk Or payable to: Free Methodist World Missions
Memo: Smidderks MSA