Karen Jean (Jenkins) Okeson

Karen Jean (Jenkins) Okeson, 86, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2026, in Sarasota, Florida. She was born to Harold Shorty Jenkins and Meredith Jenkins on May 22, 1940, and enjoyed growing up on a farm in the small town of Fairmount Illinois. After graduating from Jamaicia High School in 1958 she earned her BS in Education from Eastern Illinois University and her Master of Education from the University of Illinois.

After teaching at Cisna Park High School, Karen left Illinois, settling in Venice Florida where Karen started her career as a teacher at Lemon Bay High School in 1967 teaching PE and Business. She retired in 2000 after 33 years of teaching. She was Teacher of the Year in 1980. She was honored by Lemon Bay High School with the Lifetime Manta Award.

She married Raymond Edwin Okeson (aka Ed the Plumber) in 1971 and lovingly accepted his 4 children into her life. Although some of their friends joked that she was a Golf Widow, she and Ed had a wonderful marriage and enjoyed bowling, golf, playing cards, the Lions Club, and traveling, especially to Alaska and Iceland. Karen loved their dachshunds, especially Sam, Lilly and Lucy. Karen decorated for every holiday, especially Christmas. After Ed’s passing in 2012, Karen continued to live a full life, traveling with family and friends, especially on cruises. She was fiercely independent until she lost her vision in the past couple of years. It pained her to need any help.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ed Okeson, her father, Harold Shorty Jenkins, her mother Meredith Jenkins, her brother Bud Jenkins, her sister-in-law Shirley Jenkins and her Stepson-in-law Bruce De Joy.

She is survived by her four stepchildren, Stan Okeson (Diana), Shar De Joy, Brad Okeson (Sherrie) and Laura Spencer (Eric); 6 grandchildren, Rachel Bulla (Dallas) , Nicholas De Joy, Kevin Spencer, Sabrina Perry, Andrew Perry, Jamie Perry; her nephew Walt Jenkins (Pam); her niece Jessika Jenkins and 5 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on September 5th at Farley’s Funeral Home at 265 S. Nokomis Avenue in Venice with visitation from 10:30am to 11:30am and the service at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to your favorite animal charity. To send a memory or condolence please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.