MAYETTA – Karen Ann (Smith) Rickel, 67, of Mayetta, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at her home.

She was born June 5, 1957 in Topeka, the daughter of Allen and Connie Marrs Smith.  She graduated from Royal Valley High School in 1975.

Karen had worked at Stormont-Vail Hospital as the Emergency Room Clerk for many years. She later managed the E-Z Shop on Wanamaker in Topeka.

She married Eric W. Rickel on June 9, 1975 in Oskaloosa.  He survives, of the home.

She was preceded in death by her father, a great grandson, O'Ryan Rickel, and a brother, Danny Smith.

Other survivors include her mother, Connie Scofield, Holton, a son, Matthew Rickel (Chantel), Vassar, a daughter, Brandi (Rickel) Simpson (Chuck), Melvern, three brothers, Jeff Smith, Effingham, Brad Smith, Holton and Gunnar Smith, two sisters, Marla Brandon, Mayetta and Julie Steuber, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

No services for Karen are planned.