Karen “Kelee” Overgaard of Holiday Island, Ark., was born June 4, 1954 in Bainbridge, Maryland, to Lloyd and Marjorie (McDonough) Kelly. Karen passed to the other side on Jan. 2, 2020 at age 65, surrounded by great love.
She was a talented artist in a variety of media, master gardener, master composter, wildlife rehabilitator, and a tai chi instructor. Karen was an incredible wife and mother, and a great friend and mentor to many.
A lifelong protector of the environment and wildlife, Karen spent several years in Tennessee as a wildlife rehabilitator. For her work in recycling across Texas, Karen was awarded the Texas Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence by an Individual in the year 2000.
Karen immersed herself in her love of art, excelling in multiple media and learning from mentors in Houston, Miami and Eureka Springs. She spent many joyful hours honing and sharing her skills at the Eureka Springs School of the Arts and with friends. Karen was known for her love of fun, silliness and costumes, hosting many memorable costume parties over her years in Texas, and becoming a fixture in Eureka Springs parades and costume balls.
Karen was always surrounded by loving friends and family, who will carry her caring, joyful and mischievous spirit with them forever.
On November 28, 1981, Karen was united in marriage to Daniel. Karen and Dan spent 39 wonderful years together, filled with love, laughter and adventures.
She is survived by Daniel; daughter Kelly McDonough and her wife, Catherine Luna, of Eureka Springs; brother Lloyd Kelly and his wife, Jackie, of Louisville, Ky.; niece Kristin Kelly of Denver, Colo.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents.
A Celebration of Life was held Jan. 24 at Nelson’s Chapel of the Springs, in Eureka Springs. Memorial donations may be made to Eureka Springs School of the Arts, PO Box 657, Eureka Springs, AR 72632. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2020.