Karen Marie Atkinson, 63 years, 3 months, and 29 days old, passed away on December 18, 2021.

Karen was born August 19, 1958, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Emil Joseph and Dolores Marie (Pielecki) Lukitsch.

Karen's parents passed at an early age, and she was raised along with her siblings by her wonderful and single uncle, Joseph John Pielecki, who preceded her in death.  She had received a BA Degree from New England School of Art and Design in Boston and became an interior designer. She was also a licensed trailer truck driver and a licensed insurance agent.

On September 3, 2000, Karen and Rick Atkinson were united in marriage at Cape Canaveral, Florida.  After living in the West and then Chebanse, Illinois, Karen and Rick moved to the Ozarks.   She enjoyed many things in life with her husband, especially their ranch "Rockin' A" in Ava, Missouri, and the Southern Missouri countryside.

Karen was passionate about gardening, preserving foods, traveling, and cooking. A special friend said, "Karen was an extremely great cook!" and her friends and family delighted in her sense of humor. She enjoyed singing and loved animals: her three dogs, a cat, her varieties of chickens, and other animals on the ranch.

Karen is survived by her husband, Rick Atkinson; her four siblings, Barbara LaBelle of Atkinson, NH; Charlotte Locke of Amherst, NH;  Paul Lukitsch of Hudson, NH; and Mark Lukitsch of Londonderry, NH; and nine nieces and nephews.

Cremation services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Homes, Inc., Ava, Missouri.