Karen Sue Crotinger

Karen Sue Crotinger, 69, of Liberal, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS.

She was born on May 30, 1954 to John and Margaret (Hoffman) Burbank in Dodge City, KS.

On June 21, 1975 she married the love of her life, Kenneth Crotinger in Dodge City, KS; he preceded her in death on June 4, 2008.

Karen was a graduate of Dodge City High School; class of 1972. She went on to obtain her Associate of Arts Degree from Dodge City Community College in 1974 and her Associate of Science Business Degree from Seward County Community College in 1988. Karen was a full time stay-at-home mom for 12 years. She then went to work with Panhandle Sales/Waybright Transport from 1990 to 2000. In 2000 she went to work in Banking; working with Citizens Bank, Sunflower Bank, the Golden Plains Credit Union in 2005 where she was still working as a Loan Processor. When her children were in school she was active with the PTA, head room mother, the West Middle School Parent Advisory Team, and was a Girl Scout Leader with Girl Scouts of America Yucca Council. She played on a Women’s Bowling League team in her younger years. Karen loved to volunteer her time to various community events including Relay for Life, Lego and Robotics League Championship, the Liberal Chamber of Commerce, and various others. Karen enjoyed reading (recently discovering audio books from the local library app), her cats (Cheeto, Oreo, and Callie), gardening (flowers especially), playing Bunco and having dinner with her friends, and spending time with her five precious granddaughters (especially taking them shopping – Karen loved to shop!). She enjoyed attending as many of her granddaughters’ activities as she possibly could – music performances, plays, and sports. She was an active member of the Dodge City Class of 1972 Class Reunion Committee helping to plan various events over the years and staying connected with her classmates. Karen enjoyed traveling when she could with trips over the past few years to Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, South Dakota, Missouri, and a recent Burbank sibling trip with all three of her brothers in an RV all the way down to Pensacola, Florida. She loved to take her granddaughters to all of the new water parks around southwest Kansas.

She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Liberal.

Karen was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother and she loved her family more than anything in the world.

Karen is survived by her Son, Christopher J Crotinger and wife Heather of Liberal, KS; Daughter, Angie Widener and husband Joe of Wichita, KS; Three Brothers, Jim Burbank of Pensacola, FL, John Burbank of Oklahoma City, OK, Dave Burbank and wife Deb of Goddard, KS; Five Granddaughters, Stephenee Crotinger of Liberal, KS, Layla Crotinger of Liberal, KS, Caitlyn Widener of Wichita, KS, Evynn Widener of Wichita, KS, Finley Widener of Wichita, KS.

She was also preceded in death by her parents.

There will be no public viewing.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024, 10:30 am at the Miller Mortuary Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Restlawn Cemetery.

The family suggests Memorial Contributions to be made payable to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Associations in care of Miller Mortuary PO Box 826 Liberal, KS 67905-0826.

Friends may leave condolences to the family through Karen’s tribute web page at www.millermortuary.net