Karen Zuege

Karen Esther Rice Zuege, age 78, passed away July 13, 2024, from an inoperable brain tumor, at Midland Care Hospice House in Topeka, KS.

She was born October 21, 1945, in Ogallala, Nebraska, to Frederick Ralph and Ruth Margaret (Peterson) Rice. Karen spent her early years on a farm in Paxton, NE before moving to Ogallala, where she graduated high school in 1964. She married the love of her life, Walter Dewayne Zuege on July 15, 1965, in Paxton, NE. In 1971, they moved to Council Grove where Karen worked at Vanderbilts and Happy Land Day care. She was a teacher’s aide and paraprofessional at Garfield/Council Grove Middle school for 28 years. She retired to care for Dewayne, after he became ill. 

Karen had a kind, loving personality. She made friends with everyone she met. She was outgoing and fun. She loved to entertain and cook for her friends and family. She and Dewayne enjoyed having fish frys at the lake and taking trips with friends to Branson, MO. Karen loved to paint and made numerous oil paintings for friends and family. She was an avid reader, loved to shop and decorate. She spent many summers gardening before she began having health problems.

She loved her family deeply and fiercely and she was their number one fan in all aspects of life. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sports events, school programs and parties. Karen instilled her faith with her family by the way she lived and her walk with God.

She was a member of the Church of Christ Christian Church then later Community Christian Church of Council Grove.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Dewayne Zuege, sister Fredi Wells, and brother Joseph Rice.

Karen is survived by her son Douglas Zuege of Council Grove, KS; daughter Tara Murrow of McFarland, KS; grandchildren: Nate Zuege of Kansas City, MO, Makaela Zuege of Omaha, NE, Cody Boggess of Junction City, KS, Kylee Zuege of Kansas City, MO; Matthew Zuege of Council Grove, KS , Ashley Piper, Hannah Piper, and Megan Piper all of McFarland, KS; great grandchildren: London Robinson of Omaha, NE, and Liam Piper of McFarland, KS; sister Linda Burke of Laredo, TX; and nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the Community Christian Church. The funeral service will follow at 11:00, also at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Karen Zuege Memorial Fund. They may be sent in care of Sawyer Funeral home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.