of Mountain Home, AR
August 3, 2024 - February 3, 2024
Karen Marie Hancock, 59 years old, of Mountain Home Arkansas passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
Karen was born on August 3, 1964 to Chuck and Rose Hancock in Kirkwood, Missouri. In 1967 the Hancock family moved to Oakland, Arkansas after purchasing Fin and Feather resort on Bull Shoals Lake. Karen graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1983 and went on to work at McDonalds for several years. In 2002, Karen met John Thompson and they were married on June 10, 2006.
Anyone who knew Karen loved her. She always had a positive attitude, bright smile and was kind to everyone. She was a giving soul, always taking care of others. Karen loved her family and friends, especially her nieces and nephews. They were the light of her life.
Karen was a champion for organ donation and spent her life supporting and mentoring others going through the process. She was very active in fundraising events and spent many years educating the public about the importance of being a tissue and organ donation. She volunteered at nursing homes and educated student nurses about renal, dialysis and transplant topics. She was featured in the Baxter Bulletin numerous times along with other publications. Due to kidney disease as a teenager, Karen was blessed to be the recipient of five transplants throughout her lifetime.
Karen had a passion for animals. She spent her free time advocating for and rescuing stray dogs and cats near her home. She leaves behind her Yorkie, Thunder and cat, Sammy.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents and niece, Rebecca Marie Hancock (infant).
She is survived by her husband, John Thompson; brothers, Chuck (Kim) Hancock, Norman (Christy) Hancock and Gary Hancock. Nieces and Nephews, Tara Rowland, Megan Denton, Bryant Hancock, Nickolas Hancock, Elizabeth Hancock and Brian Hancock. Great nephews, Hayden Rowland, Jackson Denton and Jayce Denton. Great niece, Holland Hancock. She also leaves lifelong friends Barb Bode Gould and Elise Spratt Strain.
A visitation will be held at Roller Funeral Home on Thursday, February 8th from 5:00pm -7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 9th at 2pm with burial immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the National Kidney Foundation or your local animal shelter.
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23 Condolence(s)
Kathy Wells Hodge
Sunday, February 11, 2024
I knew Karen from when they owned fin n feather and my mom n stepdad owned the resort below them Henrys. Lou n Lavern Johnson was my mom. Her and I played together everyday the whole family was amazing and always welcomed ppl with open arms. Bless her family in prayers.
Donald Queary
Friday, February 9, 2024
Even tho I haven't seen her in many years, I will miss the kind and sweet girl I knew. My condolences and deepest sympathy for all of her family.
Dick and Arlene Lee
Friday, February 9, 2024
We send our condolences to Karen's family and friends. We knew her and her parents when they lived at Fin and Feather Resort in Oakland. We had Tall Timbers Resort at the same time. My sons, Wayne and Steven Lee, knew Karen quit well, and they are also are sad to hear of her passing. However, Karen put up a good fight for life most of her life, and she will be missed by all those that knew her. I am sorry we didn't make it to Friday night's wake to greet the family. I had planned to be there, but my husband has dementia and the evenings are bad for him sometimes and last night was really bad for him.
May God keep His loving arms around you as you grieve your loss.
Lisa M Davis
Thursday, February 8, 2024
To all of Karen's family..I'm so very sorry and my prayers go out to you for comfort. I have known Karen since I was 16,,we worked at McDonald's together and enjoyed each other's company. She was a very sweet person. She will be missed.
Jeffery Davis
Thursday, February 8, 2024
My condolences to Karen's family. She was an inspiration to us all. We worked together and rode our motorcycles together. A very good friend.
Becky Haynes
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
When we moved from Michigan to purchase Hudson Bay Resort in Oakland, Karen was one of my first friends. We spent days wandering around the lake, taking long bus rides to school and just enjoying childhood on the lake. She was and continues to be a great source of inspiration.
Jack & Bettie Weith
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Prayers and Condolences to the entire Hancock Family. Karen was a true Angel here on earth.
Therese Divis
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Karen
I have no doubt you will be missed by many. Now you are pain free. I am sure you scooping up all the puppies and kitties and loving on them. You suffer for so long and seem to handle it like a champ. Now that battered body is whole and healthy.
Therese
Michelle Katzenmaier
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
May God comfort all, as we morn the loss of our wonderful friend.
You will be missed sweet friend!
Dianna Roller
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
To all of Karen's family,
I am so very sorry for you loss. Karen was a student of mine in my Home Economics classes at Mountain Home High School. She was a wonderful student, a sweet young lady, always cooperative and so easy to be around. She will be missed. I am saddened, as I know you are at this difficult time. Please accept my condolences. May Karen rest in peace.
With sympathy,
Dianna Roller
Paula Roddy
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Sorry for your loss
Sincere sympathy
Paula Roddy
Jill Riley
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
My condolences and prayers for all who loved Karen. I know she fought a lifelong tough battle. Goodbye beautiful Karen.
Cliff Rooker
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
A truly strong woman that was a blessing to know. She will be missed by many.
Robert Henson
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Karen has been a friend since High School, though we lost track of each other in our late 20's, my fondest memory is my 25th birthday party at brother George's house where she lined everyone up to give me "Birthday Spankings"!....you will be missed Karen !!!!!!
Elise Strain
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Karen will always be in my heart forever. She is one of my very best friends; always will be. My heart is so happy for her. I will miss her terribly but she is in a perfect place.
Lori Cox
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Karen was a beautiful lady from deep in her soul. She gave freely, and loved everyone she knew deeply.
We met working at McDonalds and I was blessed to sing at your wedding. Thankyou for letting me be a part of one of the happiest moments in her life.
Rita Durham
Monday, February 5, 2024
Prayers for John and all family members.
Samantha Stults
Monday, February 5, 2024
I met Karen in 2000 when I moved to Mtn Home and started at Mcds. In 2009 I was diagnosed with ESRD, I reached out to Karen for advice and she was happy to give it to me. I went on to start Dialysis in 2019, then got a Transplant in 2022. During my journey, she was always giving me advice and teaching me a lot. I will forever be grateful I had her as a friend and an advocate for people like us that need Organ Donation. I will continue to tell people about Dialysis and Transplant, just like Karen did for me. RIP sweet friend! Thoughts and prayers for you all’
Deb Papesh
Monday, February 5, 2024
We are so sorry for the loss of this caring and sharing person in everyone’s lives. Karen shared openly about her quiet struggles with kidney disease as well as her triumphs in her battles. We know her as courageous and strong, and now, calmed from her pain. Karen- you have been a living example of restored strength and hope for the good in all that you said and did. You lived a life of example for others and will continue to be a Light for others. How to remain faithful in light of the struggles you faced. We have been blessed to know you, even from afar. My family is grateful for the love you’ve shown to John over the years. Peace be with you, Sister. Be not in pain as you have now reached the Kingdom of heaven of which you so deserved. Amen.
Debbie Guffey
Monday, February 5, 2024
Karen was a friend of mine, she was kind and sweet. I was at her and John's wedding. I will miss her so much. She was a very brave person.
Praying for her family.
Ellen Studnar-Giresi
Monday, February 5, 2024
To all of you. Our prayers are with you. Karen is an inspiration for overcome difficulties. She will be missed by many.
Much Love, Ellen an Tony
Ray E Stahl MD
Monday, February 5, 2024
I knew Karen as a courageous woman who fought her kidney disease with an endless smile on her face. She always showed genuine appreciation for those who cared for her. My condolences to her family on the loss of this wonderful lady.
Caryl Feiler
Monday, February 5, 2024
Karen was in my 5th and 6th grade classes at Oakland School. I enjoyed teaching her. She was a kind, sweet young lady even though she was fighting the kidney failure thing back then. My sympathy to the family for losing her. She is at peace.