Karen Kay Byrd, 84, formerly of Dwight, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Vintage Park Assisted Living in Holton, KS.

She was born January 9, 1941, in Manhattan, the daughter of George and Ethel Conwell Fielder.  She graduated from Dwight High School.  After high school she worked as a bookkeeper in Junction City.

She married Richard E. Byrd on June 24, 1961, in Junction City.  He preceded her in death on April 10, 2024.  They had a wonderful marriage, celebrating over 62 years together.  Karen was also preceded in death by her parents; son Jerry Byrd; brothers Bill Fielder and Bud Fielder; and sister Marge Newbury.

Survivors include her daughter Sherri Schulte and husband Bob; grandchildren Nicholas Schulte, and Amanda Henery and husband Levi; great-grandson, Bowen Henery; and brother Paul Wayne Fielder and wife Shirley.

After her husband Richard's military career, they moved back to Dwight where she operated a home day care business.  Karen was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Dwight until it closed.  She volunteered at the church for many things, including bookkeeper.  She was also an avid volunteer for the Dwight Library.

Karen loved her grandchildren and enjoyed attending all of their sporting events, programs, and recitals.  It was a rare occurrence for her and her husband to be absent from anything involving the lights of their lives.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 1st at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hoyt.  Visitation will be from 9:30 until service time.  Burial will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the Dwight Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 280, Hoyt, KS  66440.