Karen Joan (Phillips) Lee, 79, passed away on July 30, 2020, at St. Claire Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
She was born February, 24, 1941, in St. Louis, the daughter of Renzo “Jack,” and Lorene (Elhoffer) Phillips.
Karen was a lifelong resident of St. Louis, Missouri and was a 1959 graduate of Normandy High School. Her early employment years were spent as an airline stewardess for McDonald Douglass and Ozark Airlines.
On March 13, 1965, she married the love of her life, James Marion “Jimmy” Lee. It was then she became an exemplary doting wife. Karen corralled their two girls, performed household duties, and prepared amazing, from scratch, meals during the day. These duties all to come to a screeching halt mid-day when she showered, and put full-on makeup and fresh clothing, to greet her man. This ritual, witnessed by many, was also the time to chat and visit with her girls and of course, their many friends.
As the girls grew up and needed their mom less, Karen went to work, and later retired, as a bus driver for the Mehlville School District, still surrounded by the many children she loved.
Karen enjoyed reading, cooking and animals of all walks, especially dogs and sea otters, often supporting the cause.
She is survived by her two daughters, Lorrie Lee and Tracy (Kurt) Morgester; four grandchildren, Dustin (Lindsey), Tyler, Grace, and Jack; brother, Bob (Rea) Phillips; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Her husband, and parents, and numerous four legged friends preceded her in death.
She will be laid to rest next to her love, Jimmy, at Park Lawn Cemetery in St. Louis.
Services: Memorial Visitation at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Saturday, August 15, 12 noon until service at 2 p.m. Burial private. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Humane Society of St. Louis MO.
So sorry for your loss you are in our prayers thoughts through this time of hurt and sorrow. The Stephenson family
So sorry for your loss you are in our prayers thoughts through this time of hurt and sorrow. The Stephenson family
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Tracy and all the family. She is finally at peace with Jimmy up there in heaven. I considered Karen as my 2nd mother. She was always on my side and supportive in all my decisions. I love and miss you Karen Joan Lee.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Tracy and all the family. She is finally at peace with Jimmy up there in heaven. I considered Karen as my 2nd mother. She was always on my side and supportive in all my decisions. I love and miss you Karen Joan Lee.
Our love and sympathy in the passing of Karen. May God grant the family peace.
Our love and sympathy in the passing of Karen. May God grant the family peace.
Thoughts and prayers to the Lee family in their time of sorrows
Karen, Jim was waiting with open arms, so you can be together again
I know how much you missed him.
Thanks for leaving me with lots of memories, you will always be in my heart.
Thoughts and prayers to the Lee family in their time of sorrows
Karen, Jim was waiting with open arms, so you can be together again
I know how much you missed him.
Thanks for leaving me with lots of memories, you will always be in my heart.
Dear Family,
You are all in my heart today. I pray God gives you peace. Emil and I have such great memories of the times we shared together. When I was growing up, Karen was always a perfect teenager to me. Always full of fun and beautiful. I know she is in the arms of the love of her life, Jim, with Uncle Jack, Aunt Lorraine, and all who loved her with them. Heartfelt sorrow. Love all of you.
Dear Family,
You are all in my heart today. I pray God gives you peace. Emil and I have such great memories of the times we shared together. When I was growing up, Karen was always a perfect teenager to me. Always full of fun and beautiful. I know she is in the arms of the love of her life, Jim, with Uncle Jack, Aunt Lorraine, and all who loved her with them. Heartfelt sorrow. Love all of you.
From the day I met Karen, we had an instant bond. I’ve always considered myself blessed to be a part of her life and her friend.
Karen and my hub Tim had affectionate names for one another. Karen called Tim the “Captain”, and Tim referred to Karen as the “General”. That memory will forever be within our hearts.
You will be missed dearly, Karen. Thank you for loving me and my family. Thank you for taking us in as your family.
Heaven has gained an angel.
We’ll always love you.
Denise and Tim Bayer
Justin, Katie, Maddie and Meredith
From the day I met Karen, we had an instant bond. I’ve always considered myself blessed to be a part of her life and her friend.
Karen and my hub Tim had affectionate names for one another. Karen called Tim the “Captain”, and Tim referred to Karen as the “General”. That memory will forever be within our hearts.
You will be missed dearly, Karen. Thank you for loving me and my family. Thank you for taking us in as your family.
Heaven has gained an angel.
We’ll always love you.
Denise and Tim Bayer
Justin, Katie, Maddie and Meredith
To the Lee family
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
Jim and Karen were very good friends of Kathy and I for many years.
I will always remember the fun we had together.
Jerry Simpson
To the Lee family
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
Jim and Karen were very good friends of Kathy and I for many years.
I will always remember the fun we had together.
Jerry Simpson
Lorrie and Tracy omg Im So Very Sorry for ur Loss. She was such a Sweetie! Atleast shes up there n out of pain n missery with ur dad. If u need anything Plz let me know!!
Lorrie and Tracy omg Im So Very Sorry for ur Loss. She was such a Sweetie! Atleast shes up there n out of pain n missery with ur dad. If u need anything Plz let me know!!
Sending our love from Texas. Fond memories from when I first moved to STL. Met my husband, Bob, in Jim & Karen’s kitchen.
Sending our love from Texas. Fond memories from when I first moved to STL. Met my husband, Bob, in Jim & Karen’s kitchen.
I will miss my dear cousin and friend deeply. I remember fondly all the great times we had together. She was a wonderful beautiful woman who will live on in my heart. My deepest condolences to all her loved ones.
I will miss my dear cousin and friend deeply. I remember fondly all the great times we had together. She was a wonderful beautiful woman who will live on in my heart. My deepest condolences to all her loved ones.
Sending the family my prayers and deepest sympathy.
Sending the family my prayers and deepest sympathy.
Oh Lorrie and Tracy, how my heart is broken. Your mom was always there for me too. I loved her laugh, their welcoming home where I could come right in and know I was home there too. I’m comforted in imagining your mom, completely healed, beautiful, reunited with your dad, her parents, friends and family in Heaven. I love you Lorrie and Tracy and hope to see you soon in a big hug with sweet memories of your mom.
Oh Lorrie and Tracy, how my heart is broken. Your mom was always there for me too. I loved her laugh, their welcoming home where I could come right in and know I was home there too. I’m comforted in imagining your mom, completely healed, beautiful, reunited with your dad, her parents, friends and family in Heaven. I love you Lorrie and Tracy and hope to see you soon in a big hug with sweet memories of your mom.
My deepest sympathies to lorrie and Tracy and Lee family. Sending all my love and compassion.
My deepest sympathies to lorrie and Tracy and Lee family. Sending all my love and compassion.
Words cannot express the gratitude I have for how special and loved Karen ( and Jim) made me feel. Unknowingly he showed me how to be a mom and run a household, and how to be a doting wife. Hanging out at the kitchen table, sharing stories and laughter were some of my fondest memories. I hold a special place in my heart for these two and I find comfort knowing they are together again. Thanks girls for sharing them with us. Love you Lorrie and Tracy and all of your extended family.
Words cannot express the gratitude I have for how special and loved Karen ( and Jim) made me feel. Unknowingly he showed me how to be a mom and run a household, and how to be a doting wife. Hanging out at the kitchen table, sharing stories and laughter were some of my fondest memories. I hold a special place in my heart for these two and I find comfort knowing they are together again. Thanks girls for sharing them with us. Love you Lorrie and Tracy and all of your extended family.
Our deepest sympathy to the Lee family. Losing “mom” is always very hard. But she will always live on in your hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our deepest sympathy to the Lee family. Losing “mom” is always very hard. But she will always live on in your hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.