Karen Kay Appleby, 66 years of age, of Concordia, passed away Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at Mount Joseph Senior Village in Concordia. She was born on August 23, 1946 in Concordia to Charles B. and Audrey D. (Hillan) Mallam. Karen graduated from Clyde High School in May of 1964. On September 5, 1964, she married Gary D. Appleby in Clyde and later divorced. After raising her daughters, she returned to school and graduated from Cloud County Community College in Concordia with a degree in Accounting. She attended Kansas State University in Manhattan where she continued her studies in Accounting. Karen retired from Salina Regional Health Center in Salina in June of 2010 when her health made it impossible for her to continue working.

Karen deeply loved the Lord, her family and friends. She was a devoted, loving mother to her daughters and their families and loved spending as much time with them as possible. Some of her favorite times were being with family, having Sunday dinners, celebrating birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. She loved cooking and baking, sewing, crocheting, and watching every sport possible on TV and was an avid K-State fan. She enjoyed the friendly "family rivalry" at Grandpa and Grandma Mallam's house whenever K-State, Oklahoma, or Nebraska played each other during the holiday seasons and especially loved traveling to Branson, Missouri several times each year. She loved Daniel O'Donnell and saw his show many times while in Branson. One of her greatest desires was to go back one last time, but poor health prevented her from doing so.

Her friends and co-workers at Salina Regional Health Center were equally important to her and she cherished the time spent with them. Karen had a caring, warm, loving heart and was always concerned about those she loved. Her greatest pride was in her family, their accomplishments and well-being. She always worked hard to provided for them. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and those whose lives she touched.

Karen is survived by her 4 daughters, Deborah Jean Thoman and husband Randy, Laura Ann Hittle, all of Concordia, Rhonda Kay Stadel and husband Timothy, Bethella "Beth" Marie Umscheid and husband Kevin, all of Westmoreland; 8 grandchildren, Alicia Kay Thoman and fiancé David Wayne Graff, Dustin Lee Hittle, Megan LeeAnn Hittle, Dakota Dean Smith, all of Concordia, Eric Robert Stadel, Jason Ray Stadel, Morgan Marie Umscheid, Austin Matthew Umscheid, all of Westmoreland; mother, Audrey D. Mallam of Concordia; 2 brothers, Ronald D. Mallam and wife Pat of Kearney, Nebraska, Robert S. Mallam and wife Glenda of Yukon, Oklahoma; sister, Susan E. Jackson and husband James M. of Concordia; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles B. Mallam.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia with Rev. Barry Brinkman officiating. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Concordia. Visitation will be held from noon to 9 PM Friday, December 28, 2012 with a Vigil Service at 6:30 PM at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia. The casket will not be open at the church on Saturday. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, Rebecca A. Morrison House, Tammy Walker Cancer Center , and Meadowlark Hospice in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at http://www.chaputbuoy.com/ . Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia in charge of arrangements.