Funeral service: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church.
Interment: Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
Karen Ann Stiles, 64, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family after a year-long battle with a glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer).
Karen was born February 5, 1946 in Greensburg , Indiana, to Raymond and Anna Mabel (Smith) McCarty. She attended Greensburg High School and then went on to Indiana University, graduating in 1968 with a bachelors degree in nursing. She enjoyed a 41 year nursing career, working in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, home health care, and physicians clinics. Her love of nursing and her compassion for her patients was obvious to those who worked with her and were under her care.
While attending Indiana University she began correspondence with Ward while he was stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. After two years of only knowing each other through letters, they met for the first time in September 1968. They were engaged in the spring of 1969 and married in Greensburg on June 13, 1970. They spent 40 wonderful years together, learning more about each other and growing their love. Family was the most important part of Karens life and she was very involved in her childrens, Amanda and Melissa, lives until the very end. They enjoyed spending many hours together baking, crafting, watching television, shopping, or just visiting about their day. Karen also enjoyed learning to quilt with Melissa and helping Amanda with her classroom. She waited her whole life to become a grandma and was blessed with a grandchild when Pierce was born. He was the light of her life and in the end was able to make her smile when no one else could.
Karen was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church and was very active, volunteering to serve on committees, teaching Sunday school, and serving as both a Deacon and an Elder. Her service to others didn't end with the church. She was a very giving person and would go out of her way to help others in need. When she had a spare moment, she enjoyed her flower garden and potted plants. In her younger years, she enjoyed traveling with Ward on business trips and always planned a yearly trip to Indiana to visit family and friends. For those who knew her well, you know she enjoyed cleaning, particularly vacuuming and ironing. She always had a list of things to do and felt a sense of accomplishment when she was able to cross items off her many lists.
Karen is survived by her husband, Ward; her children Amanda (Adam) Priquette and their son Pierce of Manhattan, MT and Melissa of East Helena; her brother Patrick (Sally) McCarty of Indianapolis, IN; her mother Anna Mabel Morgan of Greensburg, IN; and her aunt Barbara (Mack) Fultz of Indianapolis, IN; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond McCarty; and her stepfather, Voyle Morgan.
Karens family would like to thank Dr. Weiner and his nurses at the Cancer Treatment Center, and the staff of Home Health and Hospice of St. Peters for the wonderful care and compassion they provided not only to her, but to her family. They would also like to thank her many friends who visited, called, sent cards and special gifts, provided food and moral support, and prayed for her.
Family will begin to receive friends on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church with interment to be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Karens name to the Cancer Treatment Center, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601; HomeLink, or the Foundation, all of St. Peters Hospital in Helena, Montana. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
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