Karen Suthers

Karen Ann Ives Suthers, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and life-long resident of Buffalo, Oklahoma went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2019 at the age of 72. Karen was born in Woodward, Oklahoma on December 3, 1946.  She dedicated 44 years of her life in service to Harper County Community Hospital where she met her best friend and partner in crime, Becky George.  At the time of her retirement, she held the position of Chief Executive Officer.  Following retirement, she served proudly on the hospital board. Karen was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and throughout her time was very actively involved in the choir, youth, and Never Too Late Sunday school class.

On January 12, 2013, Karen married Dr. Neal Suthers and they spent many wonderful years traveling the world and attending OU football games.  With Dr. Suthers, she enjoyed travels to Arizona, Mexico, Alaska, and to Europe to follow the path her father followed during WWII.

On Saturdays in the fall, you could find her at OU Football games with Dr. Suthers, on Sundays in the choir at church, and in her spare time doing everything she could to ensure that those around her were taken care of.

Karen loved music and had eclectic musical tastes, and she wanted to share this love with those around her.  At any given time, her office, home, or vehicle could be filled with the sounds of Queen, Andrea Bocelli, Eric Clapton, or Ben Folds.  Other passions of hers included quilting and photography.  Karen made many quilts for those in her life and gave them away as freely as she did her considerable wisdom.  In her travels with Dr. Suthers, she enjoyed taking pictures of the scenery, wildlife, and architecture in whatever location they were visiting.

As proud as she was of her accomplishments within the community and her work, her proudest role was being a mother to her ruggedly handsome sons who blessed her with grandchildren who were the true apples of her eye!  She loved her grandchildren more than OU football and that’s saying something!  She was preceded in death by her parents, Gaylord and Viola Durham.

Karen is survived by her husband Dr. Neal Suthers; son Bart Ives and his wife Mandy of Jenks; son Cole Ives and his wife Meagan of Glenpool; grandchildren Lanie, Landry, and Slaten, with one more on the way; and cousins Bobbi Dobbs of Tulsa, DL Baggett of Fayetteville, NC, and Sharon Margolis of Upper Darby, PA.