Karen K. Roady

Karen Kay (Provorse) Roady, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully, in the company of loved ones, at her home in Geneseo, Illinois following a long and brave battle with cancer on Sunday, November 19th, 2023.  She was 79 years of age.

A memorial visitation will be 3:00-5:00pm Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Schroder Mortuary in Silvis followed by a memorial service at 5:00pm. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or University of Iowa Cancer Research.

Karen was born on December 24th, 1943 in Milan, Missouri.  Her parents were Roy Edgar Provorse and Beulah Mae (Duffield) Provorse.  She grew up in a large family and she was the fifth of six children.  As a child she lived with her family in Melbourne, Missouri where she attended grade school in Melbourne and graduated from Gilman City High School.

On November 22, 1963 she married the love of her life, Arthur Lee Roady, in Colona, Illinois.  They had two daughters that she was very proud of.

Karen was employed at Buds Opticians in Colona as an optometrist for eighteen years up until she retired in 1991. She wanted to pursue her new career path as “Full Time Grandma!”

She filled her free time with hobbies that included quilting, sewing, and making ceramics. She loved cooking and spending time with friends and loved ones. Karen loved to decorate and redecorate. She filled the house with a treasure of ornamentations and collectables always seeking to improve their home. She loved watching old westerns and listening to the old county music.  “Real Country Music.”

Karen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Arthur Lee Roady. Two daughters, Penny Lynn Collins and her husband Jim; Brenda Lee Henry and her husband Keith.  One sister, Sheryl (Provorse) Jacobs and two sister-in-law’s Doris Provorse and Carol Sue Hollis and brother-in-law Jesse Harper. She is also survived by six grandchildren. Justin Henry and wife Allysa, Kyle Henry and wife Kylie, Jeremy Henry, Lynsey Collins, Tyler Collins and Brooke Henry.  Karen has three great-grandchildren as well.  Eva Henry, Jordan Henry, and Jackson Henry as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Sharon Rorebeck, Sandy Harper, Shirleen Hipkins, and one brother Gary Provorse.