Karen was born in Brooklyn, NY to Katrina (nee Otten) and Henry Boeckmann on September 17, 1948. She is the beloved wife of Joseph Simpson; devoted mother of the late Robert Simpson, Virginia (Ryan) Adams and Corey (Mary) Simpson; cherished grandmother of Charles Simpson, Molly Simpson, Henry Simpson, R.J. Adams and Patrick Adams; and dear sister of Henry (Kathy) Boeckmann. She is also survived by many loving cousins and other family.

Karen worked for many years at the Lane Public Library. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed needlework, sewing and investing. She was very involved with her church Oxford Presbyterian, and served as the Clerk of Session there for decades. She also spent time working in the children's ministry as well as ten years as the Moderator for the Oxford Presbyterian Women's Group. She was also a member of Church Women United and part of the Learning Disabilities Association, where she was active with the Everybody Counts Program in the Talawanda School District. She was very involved and passionate about her service to others and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A visitation will be held at Oxford Presbyterian Church on February 1, 2025  from Noon until time of service at 1PM Eastern Time.