Karen L. Culler

Karen L. Culler , of Green Ridge, MO passed away Tuesday, January 18, 2022 in Sedalia, MO. She was born on September 9, 1947 in Ottawa, IL the daughter of Lester A. Kohn and Shirley L. (Olson) Kohn, who preceded her in death. On June 6, 1965 in Bethel, MO she was united in marriage to Lowry Gale Culler. Karen was the greatest example of a spouse and helpmate for her husband, Gale. She was supportive and let the Lord lead their marriage and home. She fulfilled every one of her marriage vows until the love of her life was called home to heaven on July 1, 2019. During their first five years of marriage, Gale and Karen had the privilege of being involved in the establishment of the first New Testament Christian Church in Peoria, IL. In the next five years they were happy to return to their hometown and serve in the Bethel Christian Church. Then in August of 1975, Karen and Gale made the move to Elizabethton, Tennessee, where they served as houseparents at the East Tennessee Christian Home for two years. Upon returning to Missouri, Karen and Gale began their lifelong ministry at Show-Me Christian Youth Home. This ministry would span from 1977 until her retirement from the executive director role in 2011 to the role of church relations, until her full retirement in August of 2020. In her service of 43 years of selfless ministry at the Show-Me Christian Youth Home, not only did Karen serve in the executive aspect but opened her home to 50 children taking on the role as mother to them as well. Karen was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, a friend and leader and most importantly a child of Christ. Karen loved the Lord and faithfully served Him in every aspect of her life. It was Karen’s life's work to save children who were lost and who were hurting. She cared for those children who seemed to have no hope, showing them that their hope was in the Lord and that the Lord had not forsaken them. The impact that Karen has made and will continue to make in the lives of others is timeless and will continue on throughout the years to come. The fact that regardless of all the trials she faced in her lifetime, Karen’s faith in God never wavered and the witness she always continued to be for the Lord will be her legacy. Survivors include her children: Donna (Jeff) Hanna; Larry Brockman; Dana (Bob) Wetherell; Kim (Jon) Edwards; Brian (Deanna) Brockman; Troy (Amy) Brockman; Judi (Jacob) Crawford; Amanda (Rick) Inman; Amber (Jason) Davis; Jessica (Jeff) Weber. Furthermore, Karen was blessed by being able to parent many others who spent a portion of their formative years in their home; three siblings, Lynda L. Steele of Columbia, SC, Fred Kohn of Bethel, MO, Edward Kohn (Sharon) of Bethel, MO. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by two sons, Troy Culler and Curtis Brockman; a grandson, Terrence Culler; a granddaughter, Nattalie Weber; brother, Charles Kohn; a sister, Marlene Turpin; nephews, Eddie & Billy Turpin, Eddie Kohn, and Jamesey Steele; a great niece, McKenna Lynn Munro; maternal grandparents, Olaf and Louise Olson. Funeral service for family and close friends will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at Bethel Christian Church, Bethel, MO, with Pastor Michael Brands officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:30 until service time at the Church. Burial will be at Bethel Zion Cemetery, Bethel, MO. Pallbearers will be T.J. Culler, Weston Crawford, Alex Brockman, Zach Weber, Jacob Inman, Bryce Wetherell, Brian Brockman, Jr., and Jaden Blew. Memorial contributions may be made to Show-Me Christian Youth Home Scholarship Fund in care of Show-Me Christian Youth Home, P.O. Box 6, La Monte, MO 65337. A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Show-Me Christian Youth Home on April 9, 2022. Arrangements are under the direction of Rea Funeral Chapel.