Karen Kail

Karen Kail, 78, beloved Mother, sister, and grandmother was called to her eternal resting place on May 14, 2021. She entered this world on February 20, 1943 in Ponca City, OK, born to Leonard R. Parkison and Lorene V. Stockton Parkison.

Karen grew up in a military family, so she moved around due to being reassigned to different bases. She graduated in 1961 from Oak Harbor, Washington after spending all 3 of her high school years there, the most in any one location.  After graduation, Karen moved back to the Newkirk area to live with family and she met the love of her life, Charles Ross Kail.  They were married October 6, 1962 in Newkirk, OK and made their home in Kay County. She worked various parttime jobs while the kids were younger and retired after more than 15 years working with county farmers as a program assistant for USDA. After retirement, Karen and Ross enjoyed traveling in their RV to Southeast Oklahoma with their horses and to Colorado. Karen enjoyed spending time with and spoiling her grandchildren, sewing, riding horses, raising cattle and traveling with club members from Excel RV of Oklahoma. She enjoyed the country life and always helped out however she could with the cattle and the wheat farming.  Even in later years, she would make the trip to check the cattle and look for any new calves. Music was a big part of Karen’s life.  She gave piano lessons plus sang, played the piano and played the organ at the First Christian Church for numerous years. Karen was known for her macaroni and cheese and her purple salad at family meals.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her son, Matt Kail and wife Brenda of Newkirk, OK;  daughter, Lori Ross and husband Tony of Tonkawa, OK; sisters, Candy Wilson and husband Gary of Geuda Springs, KS and Liz Ramsey and husband Jim of Arkansas City, KS; sister-in-law, Irma Bain of Newkirk, OK; grandchildren Dalton Jones, Katie Arita and husband Dexter, Megan Jones, Josh Holinsworth and wife Tammy, Luke Holinsworth and wife Danielle, Mark Holinsworth and wife Elle, Nick Ross and wife Kaylie, Clint Ross, Bailey Ross and companion Shawn McCreary, and Thomas Ross and wife Katrina; great grandchildren Hailey Holinsworth, Jace Holinsworth, Bailey Holinsworth, Holly Holinsworth, Joshua Holinsworth, Stella Ross, Maddison Ross, Nixon Ross, Harrison Ross, Hudson Ross and Macie Ross. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, husband in 2008, one brother, Bob Parkison and a sister-in-law, Twila Balzer.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 20, 2021 in the First Christian Church with Roland Pederson officiating. Interment will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Miller Stahl funeral Home with the family in attendance to receive friends and relatives from 5 P.M. to 6 P.M. The family has asked Memorial Donations made in Karen's name to Hope Ranch, 29 Longview Rd. Ponca City, OK 74601

Pallbearers will be Rob Stockton, Dalles Parkison, Will Ramsey, Kevin Simmons Sergeant Major, US Army (Ret), Roland Pederson, Neal Balzer, Barry Leatherman and Shawn Gamache.

Online guest registry is available at www.millerstahl.com