Dr. Karen Theresa Pate's Obituary
Karen Theresa Pate went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 20, 2021 at 3:02 am. Karen will be remembered as a loving Wife, Mother, Sister, Daughter, Aunt, Niece, and Dentist. Karen, maiden name Oberlander, was born in New York City, New York in the borough of Manhattan on December 29, 1956 to her parents, William E. Oberlander and Katherine T. Oberlander. She quickly moved to Atlanta, Georgia when she was just two-months-old, and she attended Saint Jude Catholic School from Kindergarten to 4th grade. She grew up with her siblings, Carole Lewis and William “Bill” Oberlander, who she dearly loved. She moved back to New York, this time St. James, NY on Long Island, when she was in the 5th grade, but she always considered Atlanta to be her home. On Long Island, Karen attended Mills Pond Elementary School where she wrote a poem that ended up in the newspaper. She also attended Nesaquake Jr. High School, and graduated in 1975 at Smithtown East High School where she played the clarinet. Every summer, her family would vacation at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and build many memories there.
Karen was very intelligent, and she loved to do various crafts like crochet, knitting, needle-point, etc. Karen always wanted to be an artist or writer in school, but she ultimately decided a different career path. She was advised to become a Dentist so she could turn peoples’ smiles into masterpieces. To do this, she had to go to college. Karen graduated University of Connecticut (Uconn) with a Major in Biology and Minor in Chemistry. Then, God brought her to Oklahoma. Karen was accepted into Oral Roberts University Dentistry program. Karen loved Oklahoma because the southern culture reminded her of her childhood in Atlanta.
During her time at Oral Roberts University, she met a very tall man in a pillow fight on campus. That man eventually became her husband, J. Matthew Pate. They fell in love and planned a future together where she would be the Dentist and he would be the Minister. Matthew and Karen Pate got married on October 8, 1983, in Brookfield, Connecticut. They resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the remainder of Karen’s life. Together, they had two beautiful daughters, Krystan and Kathryn “Katie” Pate. Karen was told that she would never have children, but after 10 years of trying, God told her that she would and she had two miracles. She loved her daughters very much. She would bake pancakes with her daughters every Saturday morning and enjoyed bringing them to the Tulsa Zoo anytime she could. Karen also loved spending time with her husband and daughters at Disney World where she would meet her sister Carole and her family.
Karen was also a helper to her community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She not only was a dentist, but she was also a counselor, healer, and prayer warrior. She loved her patients very much. She not only cared for their teeth, but their mind, soul, and body. Many of her patients have commented on how comfortable they were in her care, and they left with a healthier smile. She ministered to their life. Her patients could bring any prayer request to her, and miracles were performed. Her patients loved her as much as she loved them. She also had an incredible staff who she loved and considered to be like family. They were a team who faced all obstacles together and supported one another.
Karen had an outstanding life here on earth. She met wonderful people who were a blessing to her life. We will miss her, but look forward to seeing her again in heaven.
Karen Pate leaves behind her husband, J. Matthew Pate, daughters, Krystan and Kathryn “Katie” Pate, siblings, Carole Lewis and William “Bill” Oberlander, in-laws, J. Andrew Pate, Treadwell Lewis and Annette Oberlander, Aunt and Uncle, Frank and Marilyn Goppel, cousins, Catherine Ann, Christine Marie, and Frank Robert Goppel, nieces and nephews, Charissa Joy Bass, Treadwell David Lewis, Sarah Eldridge, Emillie Cain, and Lindsay and Elizabeth Oberlander, life long family friends, Arthur and Karen Klaiber, friends, Barbara Regan (who led Karen to Christ), Gay Coddle and Chrissy Foltz, as well as staff, Connie Hiett, Leanna Campbell, and Aimee Krohn.
For those that cannot attend the service in person, webcasting is available at the following link: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/61047/hash:B9C8182525559F85
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