Karen Ilene (Martin) Filkins, 77, of Springfield, Missouri, formerly of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at North Woods Hills Nursing Home in Humansville, MO, under hospice care after a short battle with Alzheimer's.

Born January 26, 1946 in Kirksville, Missouri, Karen was the daughter of the late Paul Truman and Vera Violet (Phipps) Martin. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Donald Martin, Hubert Martin, and Marvin Martin, as well as three nephews Steve Brown, Rick Brown and Jeff Martin.

Karen is survived by two daughters, Amanda Christman of Humansville, MO, and Kristen Mayor of Topeka, KS; four grandchildren, Dallas Mayor and Cheyanne Lawson both of Topeka, KS, and Ryan Bussey and Rowdy Crawford both of Humansville, MO; five great-grandchildren, Hunter, Emma, Rider, Rylan and Aubree; as well as nieces and nephews, Gary Brown, Shonda Wood, Marty Martin, Rhonda Blacksmith, Mike Martin, and Teresa Martin, and great-nieces and nephews.

Karen was a graduate from Novinger High School with the Class of 1964. She worked for the State of Missouri Mental Health Department at the Kirksville Regional Center until retiring at age 50. Karen moved to Springfield, Missouri, in 2000 and worked at Cox Health until her retirement in 2015.

Karen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with working with miniature horses and other animals. She also enjoyed buying and selling properties and cars along with shopping for her grand and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2023, with family receiving friends one hour before service time in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville. Interment will follow the service at Novinger Cemetery in Novinger, MO.

Memorial donations in memory of Karen may be made to the Novinger Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.