Karen Raylene Rust, 71, of Cabool received her angel wings on March 22, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 6, 1952, in Springfield, MO, the middle child of William Ray and Zella Naomi (Erwin) Rust, AKA Gma Cheesecurl.
She was a member of the Cabool High School class of 1970 and was always proud to have been a cheerleader for the 1968 state football champions.
In May of 1996 Karen contracted meningitis and encephalitis and her family was told she would never live on her own again and she would need to live in a nursing home. Karen’s drive and determination proved them wrong and a couple of years later she graduated from Drury with her masters in social work.
Karen had several careers throughout her life, however if you knew her, you knew she not only sold Tupperware, but she was THE Tupperware lady. Being named one of the top sales people for Tupperware, she won trips and multiple prize packages for her family. She also sold insurance for Shelter, Combined and Barker Phillips Jackson. Not only did she work multiple jobs but she attended night classes, sewed clothes for her children and herself, and raised her 3 children.
From 1999 to 2009 Karen worked for Gentry Residential Treatment Center. She poured her heart and soul into being an advocate for the culinary program and helping every boy to succeed; she was their biggest supporter. Karen was on several committees for the city of Cabool, The Christian Church and GRTC.
Two of her favorite places to be throughout her life were the Christian Church and Rock Garden Christian Church Camp. She considered everyone family and she greatly appreciated the love and support she received.
Karen helped hold monthly Alzheimer’s support groups until her own battle with dementia began in late summer of 2019. For the past 3 1⁄2 years she was a resident of the memory care unit at Willow Care. She did not sit idle, her days were filled by “working” in her office, helping other residents try to talk, and trying to track down the 3 boys that stole her 2 white pickup trucks.
She always enjoyed visits from her family, their faces may not have always looked familiar but when they talked to her she smiled and knew exactly who they were. Somehow she always knew her favorite daughter-in-law, Tabby. Karen lived for the Rust Reunion and family gatherings with her kids and their families. No celebration was complete without her famous jello cars.
Karen’s ministry to others was calling and singing happy birthday to members of the church and her family. You were truly blessed if you were on the receiving end of one of those phone calls. Everyone looked forward to them and to say they are missed is an understatement.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Zella; infant sister, Gayle Rae; brother, Derald and sister, Renee. She is survived by her children, Missy (Jason), Matt (Tabby) and Amanda (Joe); 8 grandchildren, Trevor (Holly), Courtney (David), Braden (Hannah), Trenton (Carley), Caleb, Allison, Morgan, and Destin; 8 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Arula Rust; brother-in-law, Randy Pearson; several nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.
Her Children want to express their sincere gratitude for the friendship and love each and everyone of you gave their mother and in Karen’s own words “love you bunches, bunches and bunches”
