Dr. Karen Sue Powell, 71, of Fort Collins, died December 17, 2014, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Karen was born to the late Vernon and Isabelle Lemmon on May 6, 1943, in Fairbury, NE. Karen and her family moved to Berthoud in 1953. She later graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1961 and received bachelor and master degrees from Colorado State University in 1965 and 1973 respectively. She received her doctorate in business communications in 1987 from the University of Northern Colorado. She married James Sterkel in 1963. She married Ernest Powell in May 1989.

Karen was a distinguished professor in the College of Business at Colorado State University from 1976 until she retired in 2003. Karen was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students. Karen loved God. Her Christian counsel was sought by many students over her 27 years at CSU. She was a known business communications consultant and published author of business management textbooks.

Karen was a member of Resurrection Fellowship in Loveland. She loved to travel. Karen and Ernie traveled to England, Ireland and Hawaii, in addition to many places around the country in their motorhome. Karen also loved to read books, cook and spend time with her grandchildren.

Karen is survived by her husband, Ernest Powell; her sister, Beverly McCue of Loveland; her brother, Kirk Lemmon of Laporte; her two children: Scott Sterkel of Petersburg, TN, and Jennifer St. Cyrof Ft. Collins, her two stepchildren: Kathy Depperschmidt of Loveland, and Robert Powell of Thornton. She is also survived by eight grandchildren.

We would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who have cared for Karen. We also want to thank all who have prayed for Karen. She is finally home.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Denver Rescue Mission in Fort Collins or Denver in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Ft. Collins, CO 80524.

A memorial service was held Saturday, January 3.

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