Karen Kay Hobbs Ward was born on December 23, 1948 in Kearney, Nebraska.

She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior on July 25, 1960 in Blue Earth, Minnesota, and was sanctified at age 28 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, at Bethel Camp.   She was a servant of Jesus, loved to sing, play hymns on the piano, and meditate on God’s word.  Her life verse was Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you; To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Karen lived that verse out in her marriage to her husband, Roland Ward, raising her children, and everyone she met (“Strangers were friends she just hadn’t met yet,” was a favorite phrase of hers).  She and Roland were married on June 7, 1969, in Long Prairie, Minnesota, and had celebrated over fifty-two years of marriage. 

Along with being a loving, nurturing and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, in her spare time, Karen enjoyed sewing, quilting, and knitting as hobbies.  The biggest impact of her life was her selfless giving to anyone she met with a hug and sharing her love of Jesus.

Karen entered into Glory on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, from her home in Branson at the age of 72.  She had said, “If someday you come to my home and don’t find me there, come on over the river and you’ll find me somewhere around the Throne.”

Karen was preceded in death by her mom and dad, Violet (Koros Hobbs) Parriott and Robert “Bob” Parriott.

She is survived by her husband, Roland Ward of Branson; children, Andy Ward of Sheridan, WY, Christi Kitterman & husband Jim of West Plains, MO, Ruth Miller & husband Andy of Republic, MO, Karl Ward & wife Trinette of Birch Tree, MO; brothers, Jim Hobbs & wife Gloria of Burtrum, MN, Terry Hobbs & wife Debbie of Broken Arrow, OK; fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Mrs. Ward will be at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, Branson.  Graveside services will follow at 2:00 P.M. in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson.

Memorials are requested to Answers in Genesis, P. O. Box 510, Hebron, KY 41048 or Gideons International, P. O. Box 1202, Branson, MO 65615.