Karen Adele Christensen

Karen Adele Palmer Christensen was born on September 16, 1936, in Caldwell, KS, and was raised in Wellington, KS. Her parents were Lola and Ralph Palmer who preceded her in death.

Karen was a devoted wife, generous mother, sister, and friend. Her passion was teaching and she was an educator for over 40 years beginning with pre-school and continuing through to adult education. In her high school years, she taught bible school in her home church, First Baptist Church, in Wellington, KS. While still in her teens, she taught swimming lessons and was a camp counselor. Her father, owner and operator of Palmer Drug Store, also opened the “Kastle Kone” so she would have a place to work when school wasn’t in session. After graduating from Wellington High School, she began college at Ottawa University and later transferred to Emporia State University where she joined the Iota Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau. Her sorority sisters became lifelong friends, and she cherished monthly lunches with those that lived in Topeka and continued this tradition up until her passing. At ESU she was a member of the national honorary business fraternity. She graduated in 1958 with a BS in Business Education and worked for the Vice Chancellor after her marriage to Gerald M. “Chris” Christensen of Kew Gardens, New York in 1958 in her hometown of Wellington.

Karen and Chris began their teaching careers in Whiting, KS. After teaching assignments led them to Norton, followed by Jamestown, KS, they settled in Topeka. Karen taught preschool at Crestview Recreation Center for five years, while her children were still at home. She then worked as a paraprofessional at Topeka West High School before she accepted a job as a typing teacher at Holiday Junior High School. She moved on to Boswell and Robinson junior high schools before she went into adult education teaching for St. Mary College in Leavenworth and Washburn University, including summers at Kaw Valley Technical School (Washburn Tech). In 1985 with all three of her children in college, she joined them by earning her MS Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from ESU. In 1994 she began teaching in the Office Training and Assessment Program at Washburn. Two years later she moved to teach the same program for Kansas Legal Services. She was active in the community as a Cub Scout leader, school volunteer, American Heart Association volunteer, and PTA president. Her survival of a near-fatal car accident in 2005 was a testament to her strong will and spirit. After spending almost 4 months in the hospital, her first words scrawled on a note board were asking when she could return to work. Nursed back to health by her family she began work again as soon as her doctors allowed it.

She retired in 2006. Not one to sit still long, she immediately started substitute teaching, and taught in the Continuing Education Department at Washburn Tech, and volunteered at Stormont Vail Hospital where she served as editor of the employee newsletter. She was a member of KNEA, NEA, Stormont Vail Auxiliary, and AST alumnae.

Eric and wife, Kelly of Lake Lotawana, MO, and daughter Cindee and husband, Kyle of Topeka survives her. She also leaves behind 9 grandchildren/great grandchildren whom she was deeply devoted. Her brother, Roger Palmer of Denison, Texas, also survives. Her husband Chris, and son Bryan, preceded her in death in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

She was a member of St. David’s Episcopal Church and, later, Topeka Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, mom's wish was for donations to be made to American Cancer Society and American Heart Association in memory of Karen Adele Christensen.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life with us.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:30 a.m.

Dove SW Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker, Topeka, 66614

Family Visitation

Friday, February 20, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at the same location.

If you can join us, we invite you to wear a shade of pink in honor of Mom’s favorite color.