Karen J. Ekhoff

Karen Jeanne Eckhoff, 61, of Independence, Missouri, was born, November 6, 1956, in Sedalia, Missouri, the daughter of John and Claire (Frerking) Kuddes. She was baptized on November 25, 1956 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs, Missouri, and was confirmed and renewed her baptismal vows on May 24, 1970 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence, Missouri. She was carried home to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, March 26, 2018, at St. Luke’s East Hospital, Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She was surrounded by her friends and family.

Karen was a 1974 Van Horn High School graduate and she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Central Missouri in 1978.

On May 28, 1988, she was united in marriage to Kevin D. Eckhoff at Peace Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri. On March 30, 1992 she and Kevin expanded their family by one through the birth of their daughter Meghan Clare Olivia (Eckhoff) Rogers. Karen’s most coveted title was “Mom”! Karen was proud to be a military spouse, the true hero of a military family

Karen’s passion as a Critical Care Nurse was patient care! Her demands on herself were to treat her patients with dignity and respect, and most importantly provide the ultimate in medical care. She began her career at the Medical Center of Independence and then moved to Menorah Medical Center where she worked in the ICU, and later in the Cardiology Cath Lab. She then took on the position of Nurse Manager of the Cardiology Cath Lab at Baptist Medical Center. As Meghan got to school age, Karen made the choice to have more regular hours and she took a position with the HCA Midwest IT department. There she used her Critical Care knowledge to be a part of the team responsible for deploying medical software throughout the Midwest Division. Like everything else she did, she worked and studied to be the best.

She was a faithful member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit. She served on several boards and loved to sing in the choir. She had a true gift of serving others in need, and was often consulted for guidance on other’s medical issues. Her greatest earthly love was for Kevin, Meghan, and Andy. She also adored her cats (Shelby & Reghan) and her “grand-dog” Molly. Watching her daughter walk down the aisle to wed Andy was a moment she always cherished. Her ultimate love was for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Karen was preceded in death by her father, John Kuddes and her infant twin brother, Kevin Kuddes.

She is survived by her husband, Kevin Eckhoff, of Independence; her daughter and son-in-law, Meghan and Andy Rogers of Shawnee, Kansas; her mother, Claire Kuddes of Lee’s Summit; two brothers, John (and Jamie) Kuddes of Leawood, Kansas, and Reverend Jeff (and Michele) Kuddes of Blue Hill, Nebraska; 14 nieces, 12 nephews, 14 great-nieces, and 15 great-nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2018, at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2018, at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. Pastor’s Jon Gruen and Chris Schneider will officiate. Her close friend, Mrs. Cheryl Dittmer will render the music. Burial will follow at the St. Paul Cemetery, Concordia, Missouri. Casket bearers are Kristopher Eckhoff, Aaron Kuddes, Caleb Kuddes, Jacob Kuddes, Seth Kuddes, Ryan Kuddes, and Andy Rogers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Beautiful Savior Comfort Dog Ministry, or the Beautiful Savior Elder’s Help Fund, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stanleydickeyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong, Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550

There's still time to send flowers to the Visitation at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on April 1, 2018.