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Karen was born on November 12, 1941 in Emporia, Kansas to John Prost and Marie Rose Prost.
She was raised in and around the Spokane area in various places, but probably most memorable was when they lived beside a roller skating rink. They took full advantage of that growing up.
As an adult, she moved to Naples.
Karen worked at many different jobs throughout her life. As a young woman, Karen worked at a local ranch to pay for boarding for her horse and as a nurse’s aide in Spokane. In North Idaho, she worked tending bar at the Mint Club and Mr. C’s in Bonners Ferry, as a lumber grader for the LP Sawmill in Moyie Springs, in the picker at the hop farm in the 80s, as a girls’ night watch person at Northwest Academy, and at multiple other jobs. She was very proud of her work ethic and the fact that all of her children grew up to be smart, strong and hard-working people, too.
Karen’s passion for horses prompted her to start her own business, which was named Kaycee Quarter Horses. She was well-known for the horses she raised; their bloodlines, temperament, and the professional way Karen trained them.
Karen’s love for animals was not limited to just horses. She loved all animals. It wasn’t surprising to find her caring for a pet raccoon, bird or squirrel.
Karen was truly happiest when she was reading, fishing, or caring for her animals.
Over seven years, Karen had four children: Duane Michael, Teresa Kay, Douglas Allen and Christine Marie, and had four stepchildren, Wanda, Martha, Rosemary and Jim.
Karen is survived by her sisters Mary Jane Brennan, Spokane, and Jackie Robbins of Lawrence, Kansas, sons Duane of Springfield, Oregon, and Doug (Rosanna) of Genesee, Idaho, daughters Teresa Cartwright and Christine (Scott) Peterson of Naples, step-children Wanda (John) Tucker of Bonners Ferry, Rosemary Douglas of Naples, Martha (Jim) Dirks of Creston, BC, and Jim Cartwright of Naples. Karen is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Karen is preceded in death by her husbands, David B.Conrad, Ronald Spade and Rocky Cartwright, her parents John and Marie Prost, uncles Oliver Emmel and Wayne Emmel, aunt Fern Jones and sister Alvira Jean Hofer.