Karen Christine Brooks (Edwards)

Karen Christine Brooks, died peacefully at Montrose Memorial Hospital in Montrose, Co., at the age of 78.
Karen was born in Franklin, Indiana on September 27, 1939 to Ashell and Nancy Edwards. She married Raymond Graves in 1959 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They lived briefly in New Mexico, Texas, Alaska and Arizona.
They had two children Paul and Evelyn. Karen and Raymond divorced in 1966 while living in Flagstaff, Arizona. Karen and her two children moved to Montrose in the early 1970’s. She remarried in 1980 to Clarence (Rusty) Brooks. They shared 16 wonderful years of marriage until Rusty passed away from cancer in 1996. Her last 20 years were spent with her companion and best friend, Ray Pledger.
Karen worked as a waitress and bartender until she retired in 2000. She enjoyed gardening, working on her yard and home, and also spending quality time with family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter Evelyn (Derek Hanson) Graves. One sister Gretchen, (John) Karpowich of Hermosa Beach, California; two brothers, Jim (Donna) Coffman of Venice, Florida, Jan (Linda) Van Tuyl, Las Vegas; her companion and best friend, Ray Pledger of Montrose. She is preceded in death by her son, Paul Graves, her husband Rusty Brooks and both parents.
Cremation has taken place and a graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Grand View Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Montrose Memorial Hospital for their care and efforts during her stay. Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory in Montrose is assisting the family.