Karen Renee Hahn

Karen Renee Hahn, 45, left this world and entered the gates of heaven, perfect and free, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS. Karen was born in Newton, KS to Allen G and Marcia Ann (Weyer) Hahn on March 1, 1978, joining her big sister Janelle Ann. In 1983, Janelle and Karen were joined by brother, Scott Allen. On her 3rd birthday, Karen received a surprise birthday gift of a cousin, Darby (Weyer) Simpson. 3 more cousins followed, Pete Weyer, Lucas Weyer, and Kevin Hahn. Completing Karen’s family, Scott married Alicia in 2009. A few short minutes after birth, the doctor told Allen & Marcia that their daughter had spina bifida. She was soon taken to pediatric intensive care at Wesley in Wichita. The next day, Karen had the first of what would total 8 major surgeries over 4½ months time. The care she received enabled her to live a happy life, despite her challenges, and her huge smiles and friendly, outgoing personality enabled her to collect new friends everywhere she went! Karen grew up in Hesston where she was a member of the Hesston United Methodist Church, Hesston 4-H Club, and Girl Scouts, as well as participating in Special Olympics for several years. She attended school as a student of Harvey County Special Ed in Newton and Hesston, graduating from Hesston High School in 1998. Karen comes from a K-State family, and she enjoyed supporting the Wildcats every chance she got! She looked forward to “sister night” with Janelle, phone calls from Scott, postcards from Alicia, and visits with everyone she knew! She was always ready for a game of Uno, Sorry, or solitaire, and was famous as the Yahtzee Queen, with her record being 3 Yahtzees in a single game! With Allen & Marcia being lifelong square dancers and Allen a caller, Karen attended countless square dances with them in the state of Kansas and beyond. Karen’s smile added a spark to every dance she attended, and people especially were warmed by her enjoyment of winning the half pot drawings, adding Half Pot Queen to her list of royal titles. Karen always took special joy in using her winnings to bring a bucket of ice cream to the refreshment table at subsequent dances. Karen had previously signed on her ID card with the state of Kansas that she was willing to be an organ donor. As a result, her kidneys are already saving the lives of two people. Her legacy of love and giving continues on. To all those involved in Karen’s life through education, club memberships, medical care, etc, we appreciate and thank you for all you did for Karen! She loved you not just for what you gave her, but as friends! In addition to her parents, siblings, and cousins, Karen is survived by her uncles and aunts, Mark & Judy Hahn and Ed & Kathy Weyer. She was preceded in death by grandparents, Lewis & Arline Hahn and Leonard & Merle Weyer. Visitation with the family will be 5-8 pm, Sunday, July 16, at Hesston United Methodist Church. A service celebrating Karen’s life will be at 4 pm, Monday, July 17, at the church, followed by a fellowship time. A burial service will be at 3 pm, Tuesday, July 18, at Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, 6 miles east and 3 miles north from the Oketo, KS stop sign. The address to the cemetery is 51300 S 176 Rd, Liberty, NE 68381. Memorials may be left in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home for Hesston United Methodist Church, Midwest Transplant Network, or Dyck Arboretum of the Plains to construct a memorial in Karen’s honor.

Karen Renee Hahn

March 1, 1978 - July 12, 2023