Birth date: Jun 17, 1939 Death date: Jul 7, 2020
Karen Royce Bean, 81, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. She was born June 17, 1939 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to her parents, J. D. Royce and Toni Bertoni Royce. She married the love of her l Read Obituary
Sorry to be tardy in leaving my remarks. I just found this site. Karen was my older cousin—the age of my sister—and we all grew up in a warm and wonderful extended Italian family all living in the Ann Arbor area while I was young. Lots of family get-togethers and overnights at cousins’ homes. I last saw Karen and George up here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where my husband and I live. They stayed at the lake with us for several nights and we became reacquainted with many late-night discussions. That’s how I will always remember her. Rest In Peace, dear cousin.
Larry and I were part of the Grace Fellowship family under Pastor Bob Yandian. Many years of attending and family members growing up together made us close, with ties that are still connected. I'm sure Larry (my husband) could write a book on all the missionary memories that involved Karen and George Bean. I have been on just a few missionary trips. Definitely not my calling. However, I do remember Karen as a force to be reckoned with when it came to ministry. She loved it. Every part of it. Especially, leading a mission team. She was very organized and Larry was a "fly by the seat of your pants" kinda guy. Though different in their methods of operation, they worked together to be on the ready when asked to minister. The mission field, like the battlefield, makes close companions. One time here at home, Larry was in the hospital, and he wouldn't settle for anyone but Karen to pray with him. He needed to join arms with the prayer warrior he knew she was. And just like any other invitation to minister, Karen was there. One memory of Karen I personally hold dear, was right after we adopted our daughter, Melissa, back in the mid-1980's. She was almost four years old and waiting for her forever home. Her prognosis at the time as a "failure to thrive" child, was she probably wouldn't do well physically, or be capable of finishing her schooling. Well, Melissa didn't know all that and Karen didn't believe that apparently. During the adoption process, Melissa was her first name, she had a middle name, and our last name. We couldn't imagine changing her first name, so we decided to give her a meaningful middle name as part of her new beginning in our family. I remember talking to Karen about it. She said she always liked Abigail from the Bible, which means "father's joy". We all agreed on Abigail. Even so, we mostly called her Melissa. However, every single time Karen saw Melissa at church, Grace School, or at a get together, she called her Abigail. Then they both grinned, like it was their secret connection. Karen was a special grown-up friend to Melissa, a place of belonging and a person of unconditional love. Upon reflection, it was as if Karen was declaring Melissa to be her "father's joy" and "our Father's joy". Melissa has lived up to her middle name; she carries joy and laughter wherever she goes, no matter how her day is going. The rest of the story...Melissa did finish school, went on to higher education and into a career in hotel management. God blessed Karen Bean with a lot of drive, wisdom, courage, strength, joy, love and laughter to share in her lifetime. And there are many who are thankful that we were included in her journey. ...Josanne and Larry Moore
I will never forget when RICK RENNER WAS MINISTERING AT GRACE FELLOWSHIP, WAY BACK IN THE 80'S...AND, HE WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW HE MET GEORGE AND, KAREN...HE SAID, " THAT THEY WERE A GAS, AND, THEN, IN WALKED THE BEANS....". THE WHOLE CHURCH ERUPTED INTO OVER THE TOP, HILLARIOUS, LAUGHTER...AS, RICK DID HIS JACK BENNY ROUTINE, LIKE HE CAN DO IT SO SPONTANEOUSLY, TOO...YEAP, WHEN I THINK ABOUT RICK RENNER'S COMMENTS ABOUT GEORGE AND KAREN, THAT NIGHT, EAY BACK LIKE 30 YEARS, AGO...WELL, IT STILL CRACKS ME UP...AFTER ALL, GOD DOES HAVE A REAL SENSE OF HUMOR, TOO....WELL, HIS IS YHE BEST OF ALL, TOO....LIKE TONY THE TIGER, GREAT, TOO🐯🐅CINDY LOU HOOLIGAN DUNLAVEY 🐩 🐺:flag-us:🦅🕊️️🐢😀🐱
Aunt Karen Bean was a great role model, professor, and a bible teacher and mentor to my father and mother when they were young and in Bible school. She was the one who prayed over my father and it is because of her life and legacy that my father, Beni Karki is so passionately working towards the mission to glorify our Lord.
Even though I don’t remember seeing them when I was little, Aunt Karen and Uncle George were present at my 1st birthday celebration. I was conceived when my parents were attending Bible School. My parents thought if it would be difficult for my mother to attend school while pregnant but Aunt Karen prayed over my mom everyday and encouraged her. I was blessed beyond coming to know that when I was in my mother’s womb I was in the presence of fellowship, teaching and worship everyday. Aunt Karen also suggested to my parents that they keep their daughter’s or son‘s name after then. The graduation took four days before my delivery, my mom could not attend but I was born and named Karen. How wonderful news! I am truly inspired by the zeal and serving heart that uncle George and aunt Karen had to serve the people of Nepal and around the globe. We are forever thankful and grateful.
We pray to our almighty God that Bean Family will have the courage and strength to go through this difficult times.
With thanksgiving and love,
Beni Karki and Family
Aunt Karen Bean was a great role model, professor, and a bible teacher and mentor to my father and mother when they were young and in Bible school. She was the one who prayed over my father and it is because of her life and legacy that my father, Beni Karki is so passionately working towards the mission to glorify our Lord.
Even though I don’t remember seeing them when I was little, Aunt Karen and Uncle George were present at my birthday celebration. I was conceived when my parents were attending bible school and Aunt Karen was the one who prayed over my mother and encouraged her when my parents thought if my mom should drop out of bible school thinking it would be difficult for her. Aunt karen also suggested to my parents that they keep their daughter’s or son‘s name after them as they due to Gods wonderful plan and blessing I could be in the presence of fellowship, teaching and worship everyday from my mother’s womb. I was born and named Karen. How wonderful news!!
I am truly inspired by the zeal and serving heart that uncle George and aunt Karen had to serve the people of Nepal and around the globe. We are forever thankful and grateful.
We pray to our almighty God that Bean Family will have the courage and strength to go through this difficult times.
With thanksgiving and love,
Beni Karki and Family
The bond our Mom, Rosemary Westphal, had with her "baby sister" was unbreakable. Aunt Karen wrote how she would never forget all the "little" things they had done together, and now they are reunited to carry on. I'll always remember Aunt Karen for her compassion, respect, and how she would always be there for us when needed. Your smile and laughter are forever in my heart. Rest in Peace Aunt Karen, I Love you, Laura
Karen was one of the best friends ever! She had a wealth of knowledge and compassion. Her wisdom was great because she applied scripture to all the crazy life experiences she had and walked with her best friend, Jesus, every day. Her love for souls led her to places all around the world and her love for George allowed her to learn to scuba dive and go many beautiful places with him. She dearly loved her sons, family and friends. She was such a grace-filled encourager to me as a young 20 year old working along side her in ministry. She often dealt with people in difficult situations and she did it well with godly wisdom and love. I cherish the memories I have with George and Karen (love them both dearly!).
