Karla Kay (Welty) Worcester, 84, died at Azria Health Center in Olathe, Kansas, November 25, 2021. She was born January 25, 1937, in Hill City, Kansas to Ivan Welty and Viola (Gates) Welty.
Karla graduated from
Hill City High School in 1954. Following high school graduation, she
attended Kansas State University from 1954 to 1956. While there she
studied Pre-Nursing and was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
September 2, 1956, Karla married Norman Owings at the First Presbyterian
Church in Hill City. After the arrival of sons Dale in 1957 and David
in 1959, Karla enjoyed being a full-time mother for several years,
although she often picked up classes at nearby universities. As Norman
followed his career, they lived in St. Louis, Missouri; WaKeeney,
Kansas; Borger, Texas; and Raleigh, North Carolina, before deciding to
move to Hill City in 1966 after the death of Karla’s mother, Viola Welty
due to cancer. Norman and Karla enjoyed square dancing, camping, and
traveling. Hobbies she enjoyed were knitting, sewing, playing the
piano, and playing bridge. She often lent a helping hand with her
sister’s children and was a special aunt to her nieces and nephews.
In 1972 Karla completed her degree in Elementary Education at Fort
Hays State University. Eventually the family moved to Plainville where
Karla taught 4th and 5th grades from 1972-1976. She completed her
master’s degree in Elementary Education/Library Media in 1985. Karla
and Norman divorced in 1986. Karla then worked as an elementary
librarian, first in Dodge City and then in Hill City, before she
reconnected with a classmate, Allen Worcester. They were married in 2005
and lived on his farm until 2021. Karla kept busy working at Helping
Hands for several years and was an active member of the Christian Church
and Eastern Star. Karla loved spending time with her grandchildren,
developing a special relationship with each one and traveling many miles
to see them if necessary.
Karla was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son Robbie,
her stepson Lewis Worcester, a nephew Joel Cameron and her
brother-in-law Gary Cameron.
Survivors left to cherish her memory include her husband Allen
Worcester of Hill City; two sons: Dale Owings (Kathryn) of Lawrence and
David Owings of Coffeyville; four stepchildren: Rhonda Atkinson (Galen)
of Burleson, Texas, Mark Worcester (Cindi) of Elk City, Paul Worcester
(Sharon) of Omaha, Nebraska and Amy Karst (Craig) of Hoisington; six
grandchildren,10 great grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren and 11
step-great grandchildren; a sister Sandra Cameron of Hill City and a
brother Lee (Sally) Welty of Little River, California.
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