Karen (Swenson) Palmateer
January 28, 1953 ~ July 26, 2022
Karen (Swenson) Palmateer, 69, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Celebration of Life will be held at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Wichita, KS, on Sunday, September 18, 2022, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Karen was born in Salina and moved to Wichita at a young age. She graduated from South High and WSU with bachelor’s degrees in business and, later, education. She first worked in accounting at Boeing, and then was an elementary teacher at Kelley Elementary for 19 years. Always a kind, loving, and dedicated mother and grandmother, she helped educate her grandsons from home for two years during retirement, and she and Marc enjoyed traveling. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Berney and Kathleen Swenson. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Marc Palmateer, sons, Lane (Sandy) Palmateer and Scott Palmateer, and grandsons, Joel and James, all of Wichita; sister, Joyce Graham, of Phoenix; brother, Dale (Brenda) Swenson, of Wichita; and numerous friends and family. Memorials may be made to the Kansas Food Bank and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, both in Wichita.
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Very sorry for your loss. A loss to everyone who knew her. Her smile and cheery laugh will be with me always.
Joyfully I have many memories of Karen. Initially met my sophomore year, she was a senior, but cracked each other up in drama class. Then college days at WSU shared with Julie, Judy, Bev and the Rampey sisters. I even talked Karen into playing Rugby for a season when we were starting a new women’s team in the Wichita Rugby Club. I will never forget that smile, laugh, and kindness. You were an incredible teacher and gave a rich experience later for one of my social work students, while interning at Kelly Elem. Gone too soon my lovely, loving friend.Prayers to your loving family and all who love you. Sabrina Perez Glatt “Beannie” Pueblo West, Colorado
I really enjoyed knowing Karen and Marc during our years at Lord of Life church and their sons Lane and Scott. She was sweet, funny, kind and a great teacher and mom. I am so very sorry to hear of her sudden passing, and my heart goes out to her family. Thinking of you and holding you in prayer. Jamie Reed
I had the pleasure of working with Karen at Kelly Elementary School and she was an all around wonderful person. Her kind heart and humor will always be remembered by the many students and staff who were privileged to know her. She left a lasting and positive impact on hundreds of children and adults throughout her career! My thoughts and prayers are with Marc and the family. Brian Huffman
I enjoyed working with Karen for the two years at Kelly School. She was so special and wonderful to the staff and children. I was so sad to hear about her passing.
I’m sorry for your loss, Marc. God bless and comfort you as you face the coming days. Sincerely, Cathy Witherspoon
I’m so sorry for your loss, Marc. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you be comforted by the wonderful times you shared with Karen and may time help heal your heart. Marilyn Kelly-Browne
Marc, Lane, Scott, Joyce, Dale and family, my prayers and thoughts with you everyday. Karen has been such a big part of my life for over 55 years! We shared our young teens, college years, continued through our young married lives, raising our children, empty nest and eventually retirement years. So many, many wonderful and fun memories with Karen! I am grateful and blessed that she has been a part of my life and will remain in my heart forever ♥ She will be dearly missed by our foresome, Karen, Bev, Julie and myself! May God bless all of you and her friends with peace!❤❤❤
Karen: I miss your laugh; I miss. Your wit; I miss talking politics with you; I miss your valuable advice; I miss just knowing that you’re out there. You were one of those angels that , if you were fortunate enough to cross paths with her, even for a brief moment, you were richly blessed. I love you and miss you every day, Karen. You enriched my life ❤️Love Bev Barber