Karen Hanson, of Overland Park, KS, peacefully passed away on January 2, 2025. She was the oldest of three siblings, born on a bright spring day, April 22, to parents Jack and Marie Kadel of Mission, KS., and this is where she spent her childhood and teenage years, graduating from Bishop Miege High School.
A few short years later, she fell in love with and married a smooth-talking charmer named Robert Goebel, and over their years together, they had two daughters. Although their marriage didn’t last, she remained friends with him and was there for him in sickness and health until his dying day. She didn’t have to, but compassionate and helping people from family, friends, and even strangers is who Karen was, personally and professionally.
Unsurprisingly, her passion for helping others would lead her to nursing by graduating as an RN from Johnson County Community College. She firmly believed that people must advocate for themselves and those they love regarding health care. She dedicated nearly 40 years to her career as a caring and patient-advocate RN in the Overland Park Regional Hospital Surgery Department.
Beyond her career, Karen was a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who always put her family first, striving to provide them with encouragement, happiness, and security. Karen was beloved and admired not only by her family but also by her colleagues and friends. She was described as a best friend, an avid cheerleader, a dreamer, and an adventurous soul.
Karen loved exploring new cities, visiting historical landmarks, shopping in small shops, and dining at unique restaurants. She spent hours, days, and weeks dreaming, planning, and preparing (which included shopping) for the next travel adventure. After retirement, she spent any time available traveling to beaches with her family and long-time companion best friend, Paul Quinlan. After turning seventy-five, she started planning for a future European and Mediterranean trip and, for the last two years, began studying Latin. Her travels over her lifetime took her across North America (US, Mexico, and Canada) and many of the Caribbean Islands. She even considered moving to Alaska to pan for gold at one point. Thankfully for her daughters, she preferred warm tropical air flowing through her hair, walking on soft sands, and dipping her toes in the water.
She is survived by her daughters, Jeni and Liz (husband Tony); grandchildren, Jacob (wife Jenna), Matthew, Alex, Anna (husband Carson), Abby, Elyssia, AJ, and Emma; and great-grandchildren, Liam, Ryan, Ava, Elliot, and Iris. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Marie, and her brothers, Rick and Scott, along with many other friends and family members who greatly influenced her life.
Visitation and funeral services will be held at Porter's Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS 66215. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, January 9th, from 5-7 pm. A pre-funeral Coffee Open House will be held on Friday, January 10th, anytime after 8 am at Liz's house, 8204 Noland Rd, Lenexa, KS 66215. The funeral will follow at 10 am on the same day. An Open House Lunch will be held following the funeral at Jeni's house, 1610 E College Way, Olathe, KS 66062.