Karen Elizabeth Stous, 70, of Holton, KS passed awayMonday, May 22, 2017 at The Pines in Holton. She was born September 13, 1946 in Gardner, MA, the daughter of Joseph W. and Rita Mae (Gilbert) Gelinas.

Karen graduated from James Madison High School in 1964 at Clairemont, CA. She had lived in the Jackson County communities since 1977. Karen was a mom and homemaker. She had also worked at expressions. Karen most recently worked for Walmart in the jewelry and service desk departments.

Karen was a former member of the EUB Church (presently the EUM Church) and former member of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church where she had taught CCD classes. She helped make the wooden caroling figurines for Jackson County Chamber of Commerce that had been displayed during the holidays on the courtyard lawn.

She married Gary L. Stous on July 18, 1969 in Holton, KS. He survives of the home. Other survivors include 2 sons, Gary “Mike” Stous (Anna) of Overland Park, KS and Robert M. Stous (Erin) of Santa Rosa, CA and 6 grandchildren - by blood and by heart, Samuel Stous, Fiona Bowman, Delaney Bowman, Gabby Platt, Sebastien Platt and Sariah Scott.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Marie E. Clancy.

Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Inurnment will follow in the Holton Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Holton Community Hospital Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.