In loving memory, we honor the life of Karen Marie (Carney) Riedel. Surrounded by family and friends, Karen peacefully gained her wings on June 12th, 2026, at Brookdale Senior Living in Salina, Kansas, where she called home for the past two years.

Born November 19th, 1951, in Salina, Karen was the beloved daughter of John and Helen (Baker) Carney. Karen grew up in Salina where she attended Salina High School. With her bubbly personality and the ability to find the good in everyone she met, it was no surprise when she met the love of her life, Steven Riedel. Karen and Steve proclaimed their everlasting love for one another as they united in marriage in 1972.

The couple soon found a house and settled in Brookville, Kansas, where they would find happiness for the rest of their lives. While being pregnant with their first child, Karen helped Steve remodel their house creating a beautiful home for their growing family. The couple built the most loving space to take on the challenge of raising two sons, John and Eric Riedel.

While her children were young, Karen worked part time in the evenings at The Brookville Hotel where she met many famous people and movie stars. By the early 1980’s, she worked in the Kansas Technical Institute (KTI) Student Union cooking homestyle meals for the students and staff members. Many of them can still recall her wonderful cooking and the way she made everyone feel welcome. Karen eventually moved into management at the college bookstore when KTI became K-State Salina. She took pride in being a part of the students’ everyday routines.

Her presence always seemed to make the campus feel a little more like home. She continued to manage and run the bookstore until she decided to retire in 2019 after more than three decades of dedication to the school.

Karen had an unforgettable personality, the kind that could turn Monday blues into an adventure. She never knew a stranger and could charm even the most difficult of customers. She enjoyed singing in the church choir, baking (especially when it meant adding a little extra vanilla) and cooking Sunday dinners for her family. Those who she shared her recipes with are considered the lucky ones because her cooking was out of this world. She was also the city clerk of Brookville for 35 years. In her spare time, Karen could be found helping a local floral shop creating the most beautiful bouquets of flowers. Among her many wonderful talents, Karen even had her private pilot’s license.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helen; sister, Jane; and her husband, Steven Riedel.

Surviving family members include her two sisters, Mary Lou Capsey and Sue Maurath (Albert); nephews, Lance McNulty (Sherrie), Tom Capsey (Penny), Jacob Markle, and Joseph Krier; nieces, Teresa Hart (Darrin) and Jennifer Krier; sister-in-law, JoAnn Krier; and brother-in-law, Gary Riedel.

Because of losing their mother as teenagers, Karen and her sisters share an unbreakable bond that not even the U.S Army could penetrate.

Also surviving are her sons, John (Shari) and Eric (Crissie); grandchildren, John Riedel (Chelbie), Abbigail Riedel and Tyler Walker, Brett Riedel, Steven Riedel, Niko Riedel; great-grandson Waylon Riedel; and many other extended family members and friends.

Visitation is scheduled for 4-8 pm on Wednesday, June 17, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St, Salina, with family present from 5-8.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, June 18, at the Brookville United Methodist Church, 114 W Anderson St, Brookville, followed by a graveside service at the Brookville Cemetery, and a luncheon afterward.

Memorials may be made in Karen’s honor to the Brookville United Methodist Church, care of the church or Ryan Mortuary.