Karen Kay Snowbarger

Karen Kay Snowbarger, of Westminster, Colorado, died January 19, at Longmont United Hospital under hospice care. She passed away peacefully. She was 82 years old and lived life her way. Karen was a mother, sister, aunt and great-aunt. She also had two fur grandkids, Giz and Dixie.

She was born as World War II started to Eldon and Koy (Thomas) Snowbarger in Colby, Kansas. They lived with grandparents until the war ended. When Eldon returned, she was four years old and they moved to Burlington, Colorado, where she would grow up and graduate from high school in 1960.

While attending Burlington High School, she was active in her school’s theater club and played a nurse in ‘A Little Honey.’ When Karen wasn’t in school, she liked to read, play with her dogs or go bike riding around town with her friends.

After high school, Karen moved to Denver where she attended Emily Griffith school. After completion, her first job was with Law and Son Casket Company in Denver with ordering supplies and sometimes assisting with the assembly of caskets. She worked with the casket company until her daughter Kimberly was born. Karen also worked with a real estate company but would eventually retire from the oil and gas industry in the fall of 2009.

Karen enjoyed reading, putting together puzzles, listening to music, and watching westerns. She was a big John Wayne fan. After retirement, she would spend time in her yard and talking with neighbors.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and sister Konnie.

She is survived by her daughter Kimberly Snowbarger, Westminster, CO; brother Kent Snowbarger (Shari Vander Velde), Fruita, CO; sister Kathy Sitzman (Brad), Cheyenne, WY; niece Erica Scott (Eric), Colorado Springs, CO; nephews Justin Sitzman (Paige Harding) and Shawn Sitzman, Cheyenne, WY; Uncle Howard Thomas (Pam), Gladbrook, Iowa; and many cousins and their families.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, Colorado with a reception to follow at The Dish.

Memorial contributions can be made to your favorite animal rescue in Karen’s honor.