Karen S. Mayse

Karen Sue (Woods) Mayse was born May 29, 1941, in Princeton, Illinois. She was the daughter of Verdien “Jack” Eugene Woods and Jennie Blanche Lamar. Her mother died when Karen was only three years old. Her dad and wife, Elinor, and his sisters raised Karen.

She went to and graduated from Bureau Township Grade and High School in Illinois. Her first year of college was at Venard College in Iowa. She transferred to Greenville University in Illinois, graduating in 1963. Weeks later, Karen was united in marriage to P. Thomas Mayse on June 30, 1963, in the Bureau Township Community Church, a missionary church in Princeton, Illinois.

Within two months, Karen was teaching 4th grade in Shenandoah, Iowa. Tom was appointed pastor of the Shenandoah Free Methodist Church. Karen taught Sunday School classes and helped with the start of youth ministry in that church.

The church in Sioux City, Iowa thought they were receiving a ministry couple in 1970. Actually, they were receiving a young family. Tom and Karen’s first child, Melanie Linn, was born there. In 1973, the Mayse family moved to Winona Lake, Indiana, where Karen worked for the Free Methodist World Headquarters. In 1975, Melissa “Missy” Sue was born in Warsaw, Indiana. Shortly after, Karen began caring for preschoolers in her home. Karen was most involved in children ministries at the Winona Lake Free Methodist Church. The family moved to McPherson, Kansas in 1985. Karen taught at Central Christian College of Kansas. She worked at the college for 20 plus years, retiring as Guidance Center Director.

Karen peacefully passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home. She was eighty-three.

Karen is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Tom of the home; two daughters, Melanie (Joel) Ross of Broken Arrow, OK and Missy Mayse of McPherson, KS; four grandsons, Kyler Ross, Parker Ross, Peyton (Bayley) Ross, and Keaton Ross; sister, Kathy Allen of Princeton, IL; sister-in-law, Sandy Woods of Greenwood, IN; brother-in-law, Jim Mayse of The Villages, FL; and many extended relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jennie, Verdien, & Elinor Woods; in-law, Preston & Fern Mayse; brother, Joe Woods; brother-in-law, John Hart; sister-in-law, Verla Mayse; and brother-in-law, Larry Allen.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Friday, November 22, 2024, at McPherson Free Methodist Church. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 23, at McPherson Free Methodist Church. To view a livestream broadcast of the service, PLEASE CLICK HERE.   The final resting place will be at the McPherson Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to McPherson Free Methodist Church or Central Christian College of Kansas in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.