Karen Reese

Karen Sue Reese, 70, of Abilene passed away on Friday June 23, 2023.

Visitation will be 12:00pm to 8:00pm on Tuesday June 27, 2023 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held 9:00am Wednesday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home with Reverend Iziar Lankford officiating.   Burial will follow at Texas State Veterans Cemetery 7457 W Lake Rd, Abilene, TX 79601.  Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Karen was born in Fulton, New York to Wellington Bruce and Hazel Arvil Dahl Van Dusen. She graduated from C.W. Baker Academy in Baldwinsville, NY in 1971.  She married Olen Travis Reese on January 14, 1984, and they loved each other so much they later renewed their vows. She worked as a staff writer for the Abilene Reporter News from 1971 to 1983 and worked in most of the departments during that time.  She later worked at Arrow Ford for a short time and was a member of Plum Street United Methodist Church which later moved to Southwest Drive Community.

Karen enjoyed acting in plays at Abilene Community Theater and, Karen never met a stranger.  She enjoyed playing the slot machines at Casinos and was a force to be reckoned with.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; sons; Brandon Singer and Michael Dynes; a granddaughter, Madison Lynn Reese, and a brother, Ronald Dahl.

Karen is survived her husband; Olen Travis Reese; her children, Travis Reese and wife, Amber, John Reese and his fiancé, Shane Jones of Florida, Adrian Smith and her husband, Jason of Abilene, a brother; James Van Dusen and his wife, Theresa of Nashville, Tennessee; 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Tony Watts, Forrest Richards, Nathan Beard, Timothy Nicholas, Robert Leggett, Dakota Lloyd and Austin Lloyd.

Memorials may be given to Abilene Community Theater.

The family of Karen Sue Reese wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Tim Martin and his staff, Neil White, Anna Channell and staff at Hendrick Heart Failure Clinic, and Hendrick North ICU Staff.