Karen Jewel Elliott

Karen Jewel (Acker) Elliott, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away on December 25, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Karen Elliott was born on February 1, 1948, in Topeka, Kansas to Alvin and Jewel (Hole) Acker.  She graduated from Topeka West High School in 1966 and went on to attend Kansas State University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education from KSU in 1970.  In 1976 she earned her Master of Science degree from KSU.

She married Larry Elliott in 1973, beginning a lifetime together that lasted fifty years.

Karen began her teaching career at Turner High School in Kansas City, Kansas, instructing in home economics from 1970 to 1976.  Making a career change, Karen was employed for the next ten years in private industry responsible for quality control practices in several manufacturing facilities. Realizing an engineering degree would be required for further advancement in industry, she made a life changing career move to the University of Missouri Extension in Kansas City.

As a UM Extension regional nutrition and health specialist, she coordinated nutrition education programs for eligible families and youth.  In 2010, Karen was promoted to the level of Extension Professional by the University of Missouri. Serving UM Extension for twenty-seven years, she retired in 2014. During that tenure she was particularly proud of her curriculum development of family nutrition plans, a nutrition and gardening program for fourth/fifth graders and advancing healthy food markets. After retirement Karen continued volunteering in the field of healthy eating programs and sewing basics until August 2022.

Karen was engaged in various professional associations including the Greater Kansas City, the Missouri, and the National Associations of Family and Consumer Science.  She was a proud member of the “Golden Girls” an informal association of Consumer Science and 4H specialists.  Karen was also active in Beta Sigma Phi sorority promoting social and cultural activities for women and a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority as a student at Kansas State University.

In retirement Karen and Larry were active in US and international travel, gardening, train gardens, creative arts and crafts.

Karen lived her entire life as a strong person of faith.  She and Larry were active members of the Central Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas.  Through their church they developed a close-knit group of friends engaging in world travel, holiday celebrations, dining together and providing mutual support.  In recent years Karen and Larry have enjoyed, with friends, season tickets for KSU football games.  This fall they were particularly proud of their freshman grandson being a member of the KSU marching band.  Karen is in the middle of a five-generation history of family attendance and graduation at Kansas State University.

Karen is survived by her husband, Larry Elliott of Shawnee, Kansas, her son, Cory Elliott of Merriam, Kansas, her daughter, Kira (Jerry) Fidler of Topeka, Kansas, her brother, Del (Peggy) Acker of Sheridan, Wyoming and grandchildren, Andrew Nelson, Olivia Elliott, Zachary Elliott, Aiden Elliott, Ella Fidler and Xylen Fidler.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Jewel Acker.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11am on January 7th, 2022, with a Celebration of Life starting at 11am, both at the Lenexa Central Church of the Nazarene, 12600 W 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66215.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society .