Duncan, Karen Sue (nee Held) peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
Beloved daughter of Fred and June Held (nee Dreistadt); dearest sister of Janet (Barry Brenesal) Held, Fred Held III (Cindy Herbig) and Lisa (Mark) Jones; aunt of Christian and Rachel Held; step-mother of Kristina (Chance) Larkin; and a dear niece, cousin, friend of many.
Karen graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work. She then had a rewarding 37 year employment with the Missouri Department of Social Services.
She was a 30 year member of Concord Trinity UMC and in the Bell Choir.
The Girl Scouts were very important to her, she made lifelong friends.
She relished her adventures traveling and/or camping in the USA, as well as around the world.
Tuesday, April 11, at Concord Trinity UMC, 5275 Lindbergh Blvd a Visitation from 9AM to 11AM immediately followed by a service. Interment St. Ferdinand Cemetery (Florissant).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, 2300 Ball Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146 and/or Concord Trinity UMC.
I am so sorry to hear about Karen. I played in bell choir with her for the three years I was at Concord Trinity.
Please know your family will be in my prayers.
My deepest sympathy to Karen’s family. Always enjoyed her playing with the Concord Trinity Hand Bell Choir.
Karen was a beautiful soul and a good friend. She loved people deeply and left a mark on so many in our congregation and community! She will be missed!
So sorry. Enjoyed the many conversations we had together. Became acquainted with her when she lived in the cottage on the church property many years ago.
To my dear Sister with so many good friends and family…you are missed by so many of us we cannot count, you thought and felt so deeply we cannot imagine, your love for music and people was boundless, our family adventures were the epic starts to more generations of world and life explorers, and I want you to know that you were loved by many and I loved you deeply.
Karen and I were on staff at Camp Cedarledge many moons ago. She taught me many life lessons and gave me my “Indian” name. She was full of life and I will always remember her laugh. Rest well my friend.
I worked at Girl Scout camp with Karen. She always had a great smile for everyone. She loved people and she loved music. She knew every Girl Scout song!
I worked with Karen at Camp Cedarledge many years ago. I remember her big smile most of all.
Fun times vacationing together. Great memories and laughs. Karen will be missed but her love
For life and laughter live on. As Karen and I talked about one time,
I hope she is dancing and taking in The wondrous sites. Prayers for peace and comfort to her family and friends.
Karen was one of the most gentle people I’ve ever met. Her music talents in our bell choir will be so missed!
My condolences to all of Karen’s family. I played next to Karen for several years in Jubilee Bells. She was such a gentle and sweet person, not to mention talented. Prayers for peace for all the family and the CTUMC community as we have lost another beautiful soul.
Karen, the song keeper. Day is done. All is well, safely rest. God is nigh.
My thoughts and prayers go to Karen’s family during this most difficult time. I played in bell choir with her for 25 years and enjoyed her laughter and smiles. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Rest in Peace my beautiful daughter. I will miss our shopping sprees and fun outings. You were my Rock. Love you with all my heart
Always in my heart. She saved my life.
Girl Scouts forever,
Marcia
Karaen was a camper when I was on staff. I so enjoyed singing with her these last few years at the camp reunions. I am grateful to have been able to know her as an adult. She was one of the finest women I have ever met.
My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Karen. I’ve played in the bell choir at church for many years and I know she was very sad last fall when she didn’t have the energy to play. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
My deepest symnd herpathy for Karen and her family. I also played in the same group
at Concord Trinity. Many prayers for you and your family.
My deepest sympathy for Karen and her family. I played in the same Bell Choir
at Concord Trinity and i will always miss your presence.I wish you eternal peace.
My dear, dedicated co-worker for over 35 years. God’s peace and comfort to Karen’s family, friends and all who loved her.
Karen was a great person to work with for over 30 years. She was always pleasant and very helpful. She was truly dedicated to the State of Mo.
Karen and I worked together at Cedarledge in 1979 and thus began a 45 year friendship. We talked often about her quest to visit all the Missouri State Parks since I am trying to do something similar. I spent a very special day with Karen just a few weeks back and I will always cherish those moments. She was telling me about the camp songs that she sang to herself while in the treatment room. It made us both smile despite all she was facing.
To my dear cousin Karen, you will be missed. I am so glad that you invited me to go with you to the Bahamas via Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and the Florida Keys. It was a special time and made many memories that are flooding my mind now. It seems like we got your National Park book stamped more than a few places. Love cousin Wendy
Karen, I cannot say goodbye, just until we meet again. I will remember all the time we had at Camp Cedarledge, which in turn grew into a lifelong friendship with you and your family. I first met your older sister Janet, who in in turn introduced me to you and your younger sister, Lisa. Your family trips to national parks, mimicked my family trips, who had to get out of the car to get their picture taken at the park sign. I will miss you greatly and will remember you every time I pass a National Park sign.
Karen was my first unit leader during my first year of employment at Camp Cedarledge. I’ve always said Camp Cedarledge is the “house“ that built me.
Every year as camper (7) and every year on staff (3) solidified my foundation. Karen is a very significant part of my foundation.
She taught me so many lessons at camp. Including patience with children and kindness. She taught me not to look at behavior, but to look at causes of behavior. She encouraged me to lead a song in the dining hall and when that didn’t work she told me I must get over my fear and if I couldn’t sing good I needed to sing loud so I did.
I was fortunate to spend quite a few Mondays with Karen recently. We talked a lot about camp, her job, and my job and life. She is missed.
Karen and I first met through Girl Scouts/Camp Cedarledge, we both went to Mizzou and then worked together at Butterfield Youth Services in Marshall, Missouri. Years later, we reconnected at the annual Girl Scout reunions. Karen had a quiet strength, she was steadfast in her convictions, but never judgmental. Rest in peace, my friend.
Karen and I shared a love for “Harry Potter”. Karen would sometimes even bring treats to the office to celebrate Harry’s birthday. I loved that!!
Prays for Karen and her family.
Karen was my supervisor for over 27 years and we shared a lot of good and not so good times. I appreciate for all that she has taught me and the support that we offered to each other through the years.
Karen was such a generous, thoughtful and creative person. I will cherish the homemade Christmas gifts that she so thoughtfully took time out to make for her team. She always brought in pie on March 14 for Pi Day. I could go on and on about her, but I’ll just stop and say until we meet again, Karen. You will definitely be missed.
Love Marietta S.