Karen Lee (Cox) Farha

Karen Lee (Cox) Farha, 78, of Wichita, passed away on February 21, 2025, at her apartment in Sedgwick Plaza. She was born on October 1, 1946, to Clyde and Glenys Cox. She loved school, her friends and playing tennis. Karen graduated from Wichita East High School in 1964 and left home to attend Sterling College. That is where she met and married David Martin in 1966. They had a daughter, Stephanie. Karen and David later divorced. While living in the Twin Cities, Karen met and married Jim Davies in 1974. They lived in Minnesota for several years before moving to Kansas in 1977 to take over the Dodge City branch of the family business. Karen grew up helping her father by working summers at Cox Produce in Wichita. The Old Town building on north Mosley still features the Cox Produce Company name. Karen was very proud of her years running Cox Food Service. She was a successful female business owner in a male dominated industry. In 1994, F&E Food Service bought out Cox Food Service and Karen became the Purchasing Manager of their produce department. It was during the buyout that Karen met the love of her life, Farris Farha. They were married on October 11, 2001. Karen and Farris spent 23 years having fun together. When they wanted to try something new, they opened a lovely old-fashioned candy store in 2006 called The Farris Wheel. They enjoyed several wonderful years serving Wichitans some of the finest chocolates, nuts and candies in made-to-order gift boxes. Farris was the sales expert, and Karen was the store decorator and gift designer. She loved creating beautiful and delicious gifts for people to enjoy. Karen and Farris made a great team! Karen took pride in her business acumen, but what she loved most was time with family. She loved her daughter endlessly and was fiercely protective. When her only grandchild was born, she was devoted to being a “fun grandma.” Karen and Courtney shared a special bond that started when Courtney was a baby and lasted a lifetime. When she became a great-grandmother, her 3 great-grandchildren always made her smile. Most recently, the youngest, Gabriel, never failed to make her laugh out loud. Once Karen and Farris finally decided to retire full-time, they enjoyed going to the casino, dining out with friends and family, and watching as much tennis as possible along with every single Royals game that was televised. Most of all, Karen and Farris enjoyed each other's company. As time went by, they faced declining health issues together. 2020 and 2021 were difficult years for each of them medically, but they persevered and always showed their affection for one another in little, romantic gestures. We lost Farris on Thanksgiving night, 2024. Karen was devastated and never quite recovered. Her health rapidly declined and by mid-January, Karen was on hospice with a broken heart. She left this world on a cold, clear Friday morning. We are so happy she is finally at peace; but those of us she left behind will have sadness in our hearts for a very long time. Karen is survived by her only daughter, Stephanie (Ben) Linnebur of Wichita, her only granddaughter, Courtney (Corey) Hull of Medicine Lodge, and her 3 great-grandchildren, Dakota, Peyton, and Gabriel. She is also survived by her younger sister, Julie (Dick) Brighthaupt of Missouri, and her younger brother, Mike (Dominga) Cox of Wichita, her brother-in-law, Norman Farha of Wichita, her sister-in-law, Gloria (Jack Focht) Farha Flentje of Wichita, two nieces, Staci (Joe) Nash of Missouri, Erika (Ryan) Meyers of Missouri. Last but certainly not least, Karen enjoyed having 2 grown stepsons for 23 years, Ed Farha of Wichita, and Michael (Angie) Farha of Wichita, as well as several great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, her nephew, Bryan Buck, two sisters-in-law, Grace Barkett and Carol Farha, her brother-in-law, Tony Barkett, and two ex-husbands for whom she said would always hold a place in her heart, Jim Davies and Mark Long. A memorial service will be held at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 27, 2025, for family and friends to gather and share memories. Cremation has already taken place. A private burial of her ashes on family ground will happen in the Spring. For those who wish to give, we love plants and flowers, or the family kindly suggests memorial donations made in Karen’s honor to The Lord’s Diner, 520 N. Broadway St., Wichita, KS 67214; or Elevate Hospice, 1861 N. Rock Road, Suite 380, Wichita, KS 67206.