Karen Marie Carlson Stogsdill

January 11, 1953 - August 14, 2015

Karen Marie Carlson Stogsdill was born at Chelsea Naval Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts on January 11th, 1953 to William "Bill" Carlson and Loretta Agnes Carlson. Karen was smart, funny and kind. She was also fiercely independent, eccentric, and stubborn. She was equal parts of her mother and father. Her father was a tough, smart man from South Boston that worked, attended college and even served in the Navy when Karen was young. Her mother was reverent and kind. Loretta was the youngest girl of large Irish Catholic family and instilled in Karen an appreciation of family and devotion. Karen embraced her Irish heritage and was a proud Yankee. She spent her youth in New England surround by a network of aunts, uncles and cousins. Many of her fondest memories were the large family gatherings from her childhood. She often recalled spending time upstairs with her cousins as her parents, aunts and uncles entertained downstairs.
In 1954, her sister Joanne was born. Separated by only 13 months, they had a sibling rivalry that often bordered on adversarial, yet they always maintained a deep love and familial bond. Joanne was there for Karen in her final days and you could tell Karen took comfort in having her there.
In 1958, her baby brother Mark was born. Karen was the doting older sister. She proudly told the story of secretly teaching Mark to drive without their father's knowledge. She laughed that when Mark got in the car with Dad that he was shocked when Mark put the car into gear and took off like an old pro.
Karen and her family did not stay in Connecticut for long. In 1961, Bill was transferred to California, so they left their family back East and headed for the West Coast. It was there Karen would meet her best-friend Felice. The two would maintain a life-long friendship. In 1969, Bill was transferred again and the family packed up and moved back to Westport, Connecticut. This was short lived, however. The Carlson family was soon on the move once more. This time they were headed to Houston, Texas. In 1971, despite Karen's protests, she was uprooted her senior year in high school and headed to Texas.
Texas was a culture shock. While she may not have encountered cowboys on horseback as she had originally feared, it was definitely not Connecticut and most certainly not California. But Karen, as was her nature, adapted and quickly made new friends. It was at Westchester High School that she met John Crickmer through a chance encounter. She backed into his car in the school parking lot. John was able to see past the damage to his car. The two soon started dating and eventually married. John joined the Navy and the newlyweds shipped out to San Diego, California. After serving a tour in Vietnam, the young family moved back to Texas, this time to the small town of Nacogdoches. It was there, in 1979, that her son Kyle was born. Karen was a devoted mother. She lavished her new baby boy with attention and love. 
Karen and John separated shortly after Kyle's birth. Karen's new role as single mother was a defining one. Karen worked hard to provide for their small family. She tried out various career paths along the way. She sold air time for a radio station in Nacogdoches, tried her hand at photo retouching in Austin, and was a paralegal in Houston. Making ends meet was often a struggle, but she managed somehow. No matter what, Karen and Kyle were together. They celebrated the good times and lifted each other up during the tough times. 
In 2003, Karen met Russell Lee Stogsdill. He was a regular at her favorite hang-out "Forno's" (a local piano bar), and he worked hard to win her attention. Russell eventually succeeded and the two started dating. They laughed, they danced, they travelled, and before she knew it they married. Karen was in love, she had pretty much ruled out that ever happening again. Yet, here she was. Karen was remarried with three new daughters and five new grandchildren. Russel was smart, fun-loving, and patient. That patience came in handy with Karen. She was notorious for taking two hours to get ready and never starting until it was time to leave. The two of them just seemed to work. Russell was the rock and Karen was the butterfly. In 2007, doctors found a spot on Karen's left lung. Shortly thereafter, doctors would discover a Cancerous tumor in her brain. When Karen's illness first presented, it was Russell's steadiness and strength that helped Karen make it through the early days. In 2009, Karen sought specialized treatment in Seattle. She again battled back and her health improved. 
Russell, however, was not Karen's only source of support. Her close group of friends, affectionately known as "the B's" (another Forno's connection), were there with support as well. They stuck together and lifted each other up. Karen was in a gang! Karen improved and all signs indicated that she was going to be okay.
In 2011, Karen's son Kyle and his wife Gina celebrated the birth of their daughter, Riley. Karen immediately assumed the role of "Nana". They had a special bond. They enjoyed shopping, yatzee, and playing dress-up. Riley adored Nana. Sadly, that same year, Karen and Russel were involved in a tragic car accident that took Russell's life. Karen amazingly survived. Despite being broken, bruised, and emotionally devestated Nana fought back from the accident. 
She was still recovering from the accident when her Cancer made a comeback. The tumor in her brain begin to grow again and it spread to her liver. The symptoms and side effects were starting to mount up. Cancer was finally starting to take a noticeable toll. Many of her friends and family believed that Riley was what kept her going. Karen was a fighter. She refused to give up. She was just too stubborn. Karen defied doctors expectactions. She spent four wonderful years as Nana.
Karen Marie Stogsdill passed away at her home on August 14th, 2015. Her long fought battle with cancer was over. Karen was with family when she slipped away peacefully . The Irish Tenors sang "Toora Loora Looral (An Irish Lullaby)" softly in the background. 
Karen's passing reunites her with her husband Russell, and her parents in the providence of Heaven. While she will be missed, her friends and family take comfort knowing that she is with loved ones. Karen Marie Stogsdill is survived by her son Kyle Crickmer of Katy, TX and his wife Gina and their daughter Riley; daughter Sherri Swope of Katy, TX and her husband Mark and their sons Taylor and Kyle; daughter Angela Webster of Meredith, NH and her husband Eric and their daugter Tori; daughter Julie Darrow of Boulder, CO and her husband Joe and their daughter Catherine; sister Joanne Carlson of Sugarland, TX and her husband Pat and their children Kelli Anne , Michael and his wife Rachel; brother Mark Carlson of Austin, TX and his wife Denise and their children Allie, Jeffrey, and Nicholas. She is also survived by her extended family in New England, numerous friends and the countless lives she touched. Those that knew her and loved her are greatful for the time they spent with her. She will last in their memories and in their hearts; each in their own way . We ask that those who knew her and love her not mourn her passing but instead keep her spirit alive in the clebration of her life.
Services are scheduled for 12:30 pm on Saturday, August 29th, 2015 at Katy Funeral Home. 23350 Kingsland Blvd.  Katy, TX 77494  281-395-7070

Karen Carlson Crickmer ('71) passed away August 2015, as reported by Dana Sossaman.  Funeral was held on September 23, 2015.  

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