Karen Louise Stepaniak, 63, of Republic, MO, passed away Monday, April 22, 2019. She was born June 21, 1955, in Kansas City, MO. She was soon adopted by Kenneth and Helen Hansen. She was grateful for this and felt adoption was a very special choice.

Karen was loving, kind and very generous. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, spending time with her family - especially her grandson, Chris, and playing the piano. Even being nearly deaf, she could play beautifully.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Karen is survived by her husband, Ed Begley; children, Jaime Woolfolk and husband Matthew, Robert Stepaniak and David Salyers; grandson, Christopher Woolfolk; siblings, Becky Hansen and Jeff Goldberg; dear friends, Donald and Betty Kay Stepaniak, Lael and Phil Woolfolk and Kate Calhoon; and many other friends that will miss her dearly.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Karen's life Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 11 AM - 3 PM, in the Nathaniel Greene Park - Japanese  Garden Pavilion, Springfield, MO.