Karen Diane Maze (McDaniel)

Karen Diane Maze Obituary

Garden City, Missouri - On March 31, 2025, Karen Diane Maze, wife, momma and granny, passed away at the age of 76 alongside her husband of 37 years, Allder Maze, who passed away at the same time. Karen was born September 2, 1948 to Frances Jane (Oxley) Oldham and Loren Eugene McDaniel. She was one of five children. Karen grew up in Olathe and Paola and attended those area schools.

Before finishing high school, Karen gave birth to her first child, Shannon. However, knowing how important her education would be in her life, Karen went on to earn her GED. Eight years later her son, Shane, was born. Karen’s children were the light of her life. She loved them beyond measure.

Karen worked the majority of her early years in the grocery business. She worked her way up and became an assistant manager at the Robandee United Super. It was here that Karen met the man who would later become her husband, Allder Maze. It was also here that she felt the calling of a deeper purpose. Karen began taking classes at Sanford-Brown College for Nursing. She graduated with honors in 1995, earning her Registered Nurse designation. She held various roles in her nursing career. However, the majority of her years were as a Nurse Supervisor at Kindred Hospital in Kansas City. After dedicating over 20 years to helping others she retired from nursing. Allder and Karen were married on November 28, 1987 during a small ceremony in Las Vegas, NV. With her marriage to Allder, Karen gained two more children, SueAnn and Steven. Karen and Allder made their forever home in Garden City, MO, known to most as simply, “The Farm”.

Karen filled her time taking care of her chickens, turkeys, guineas, peacocks and quail. She loved spending time on their lake fishing, feeding the catfish and just being outdoors. She enjoyed growing tomatoes, asparagus, strawberries as well as many other berry bushes. She had an uncanny ability to make orchids thrive in her sunroom.

Karen loved shopping for bargains, even if she had to do some tinkering to make her finds work again. When given the opportunity, she enjoyed going to the casinos with her friends. She also loved jigsaw puzzles. She often finished them within days. She would then take them apart and pass them on for someone else to enjoy.

Karen, also known as Granny, adored spending time with her grandchildren. She would make whatever sacrifice was needed to help them any way she could. Granny and Grandad always put money into their grandchildren's accounts to help them in the future. Karen loved having the family together at her home. Although, always fretted about the condition of the house. To which nobody paid any attention because, life was simply better on the farm.