Karen Sue Hamm Tyler was born on November 21, 1947 in Lawrence, Kansas.

While growing up in Lawrence, Karen attended New York Elementary School, Central Junior High School, and Lawrence High School where she competed in hurdles.

Karen worked for the Geological Survey Department at Kansas University and later moved to The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where she continued her work as a draftsmen.

Karen had many passions. She loved dogs and had two Schnauzers. She liked to attend movies and gather with friends. She had a very caring spirit and was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews. Karen was a passionate artist as well.

While in Ohio, Karen attended New Salem Baptist Church in Columbus where she helped to illustrate their websites.

Karen gained her Heavenly wings on March 4, 2018. She is preceded in death by her father, Gratheau Hamm; her mother, Harriet Baskerville; her step-father, Marion Baskerville and her brother, Michael Hamm.

Left to cherish her memory is her only brother, Larry (Martha) Hamm (Lawrence, KS); two sisters, Alicia (Clarence) Reynolds and Cathy White, both of Lawrence, Kansas, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.