August 10, 1962 – September 21, 2024
Lawton, OK
The Funeral Celebration of Life service for Karen Sue Gascho will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the Arena Cowboy Church, north of Lawton, Oklahoma with David McGhghy, Pastor officiating.
Viewing for family and friends will be from 8:30-9:45 a.m. Wednesday just before the service at 10:00 a.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
Karen Sue Gascho, 62, passed away peacefully at her home north of Lawton, Oklahoma on Saturday, September 21, 2024. She was born on August 10, 1962, in Munich, Germany, to Willis Anthony and October Joy (Phillips) Strickland, Karen grew up in a military family, which led to a life of travel. She spent her early years in places like Fort Eustis, Virginia, and graduated from high school in Molena, Georgia.
Karen met CW3 (Retired) John Wayne Gascho at Fort Hood, Texas, and the two were married on July 23, 1990, in nearby Killeen. As a devoted military family, they relocated several times due to military assignments, eventually settling in Lawton, Oklahoma, after John’s retirement.
Karen was an active member of her church, serving in various capacities with enthusiasm and dedication. She had a passion for fishing and a love for birds, especially hummingbirds, filling her yard with feeders to attract them. Her greatest joy, however, was her family, particularly her grandchildren. Known for her sense of humor and infectious laugh, Karen’s warmth and spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Karen is survived by her husband of the home, two sons, Mitchell Wayne Gascho and wife Shanna of Topeka, Kansas, Johnnie Ray Matthews and wife Jessica of Hershey, Pennsylvania, two daughters, Sarah Owen and husband Kody of Topeka, Kansas and April Cozart and husband Curtis, Jr. of Frisco, Texas, seven grandchildren, Damien Gauthier Gascho, Nathanyle Gascho, Raven Jade Owen, Urijah Matthews, Asher Matthews, Ari Cozart, and Matthew Owen, two great-grandchildren, Isabella Wiseman and Carter Wiseman, four sisters, Shirley Coates and husband Roy of Gloucester, Virginia, Brenda McQuillen of Elizabethtown, North Carolina, Barbara Fallin of Thomaston, Georgia and Patricia “Bug” and husband Keith of Virginia, and other family members.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.
