Karen Faye (Craig) Diehl, 90, of Topeka, died peacefully in her home on February 3rd, 2025.
Karen was born at home in Moorfield, Nebraska, on April 04, 1934. She graduated from Brady High School in 1951. Karen met the love of her life, Kenneth, in high school. The farm girl met the football star, fell in love and got married in Brady, Nebraska on April 3, 1952. Karen and Kenny moved to Kansas and raised their family.
Karen worked all her life. She retired from Yellow Freight…twice. She enjoyed keeping in contact with her coworkers by hosting many get togethers at her home. In retirement, Karen worked as a book keeper for many businesses. She most recently worked for Mikoleit Inc. During tax season, Karen helped her family with their taxes too. Karen loved to be busy and volunteered her time with the Dover Ladies Aid Group.
Karen loved to cook, bake and entertain. You would never leave a dinner party at Karen’s hungry! She loved to try out new recipes and dropped off surprise baked goods to her grandkids and friends. If she wasn’t whipping up a meal, Karen was playing card games, traveling, spending time with her family or watching her favorite sports teams.
Karen was the glue that held her big, crazy family together. She is survived by her daughters, Vicki Foster and Jodi (Derek) Clark; son, Mark (Donna) Diehl; Daughter-in-law, Loli Diehl; Grandchildren, Julie (Gary) Spring, Luke (Jodi) Foster, Matt (Misty) Foster, Shelia (Bobby) Coons, Scott (Isabelle) Zlatnik, Melissa (Kelly) Smith, Jennifer (Blaine) Hensley, Nichole (Jamie) Louks, Ryan Diehl, Travis Diehl, Jacob (Tammy) Diehl, Enedina (Shane) Miles, Drew Clark, Colton Clark; Great Grandchildren, Zach (Bryce), Laiken, Greyson, Kaylyn, Kassi (Justin), Gentry, Bayli (Jeremy), Jayden, Kellyn, Adam, Kai, Logan, Emma, Olivia, Sophia, Braiden, Makenna, Karsyn, Easton, Karley (Grant), Macie, Jaidyn, Madison, Preston, Laci, Karson, Susie, Randi Jo, Callie and Harley; Great Great Grandchildren, Adalynn, Abigail, Brooks, Rhodes, Beau, and Brynn. Siblings, Bruce (Jeanie) Craig, Kay Morris, and Coral Jean Hubanks.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenny; sons, Ricky and Keith; son-in-law, Fred; Parents Milton and Mabel, and nine siblings.
A celebration of life will be held at Dover Federated Church Fellowship Hall,13535 SW 57th Street, Topeka, KS 66610, on Saturday, February 8th. The visitation will be from 10am-12pm with a service beginning at 12pm. A meal will be served after the service. Please wear your favorite sports gear to honor Karen’s love for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels sent in care of Midwest Cremation, 525 SE 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66605.
