Karen Leigh Askins

Karen Leigh Askins, 63, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Karen was born September 9, 1961, to Hubert and Helen Gideon in St. Louis, Missouri. After attending schools in both Illinois and Kentucky, she graduated from Cahokia (Illinois) High School in 1979. In the summer of ’79, Karen moved to Shawnee to care for her maternal grandmother.

Karen worked for Sears in their downtown Shawnee service center, and then she worked in the offices of the Salvation Army as their social worker, which set her on the path that she felt called to. From the Salvation Army she went to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a Social Worker and Social Worker 2. After DHS, Karen worked at Resthaven Funeral Home.

In 2001, Karen returned to continue her education at St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee. In 2005, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Karen’s jobs after college included Test Administrator for the Department of Defense, Human Resources Manager for a construction company and then for CVS, both for the retail side and then the pharmacy. Finally, she got back to social services and used her degree in psychology at Red Rock Behavioral Health working with children and teens.

In 1981, Karen met Michael, and they were married on November 19, 1982. Karen would always refer to Mike as her, “first husband”. When people asked how they met, Mike said that.. “she was the right caller..” to his radio show and HE won the grand prize!

Karen had three boys, Thomas, Timothy and Anthony. These incredible men are Karen and Mike’s greatest accomplishments. Karen’s love of her boys will always be a point of joy and strength, all the days of their lives.

Karen loved to go to garage sales, estate sales, antique shops, junk shops, and more, to find curios, furniture and odds and ends for her indoor and outdoor furnishings and decorating. Plus a few spare projects that fill a shed or two.

Karen was predeceased by her mother and father and her brother, Bob. She survived by her husband, Mike, as well as her sons, Thomas, Timothy and Anthony; also, many dear friends and loved ones.

Karen did not want a funeral, but a memorial service may be coming down the road. The family will keep you posted on social media.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Mike’s medical GoFundMe account are requested: https://www.gofundme.com/f/2f92x-medical-costs?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook