Karen Rice, 65, of Yukon, OK departed this world on January 18, 2017 surrounded by family. Ernest Ray and Dennalee Heilaman welcomed Karen into this world on September 7, 1951 in Yukon, OK.

Karen graduated from Yukon High School in 1969 where she participated in 4-H, National Meat Judging team and DECA. Dreaming of becoming a Home Economics teacher, Karen attended college where she met the love of her life Stephen “Caleb” Rice of El Reno, OK. They married on March 6, 1971 at the First Christian Church in Yukon, OK. They both worked and attended college until the arrival of their first child on April 5, 1975 when Karen put her dreams of teaching on hold to spend more time with her children. They welcomed their second daughter on April 9, 1977, and their son joined their family on March 23, 1988. Once her children were older, Karen drove a school bus for Yukon while her children grew.

Karen returned to college graduating from UCO in May 1993. She realized her dream of teaching in August of 1993 at Western Heights Middle School. She also taught at Yukon Mid High School and Capps Middle School in Putnam City where she was Teacher of the Year in 2010-2011. She retired from teaching in May 2016.

She enjoyed teaching Family and Consumer Science and Middle School Science. She loved taking her students to Science Olympics and Robotic Competitions. She also worked with the Upward Bound Program. She always advanced her knowledge by attending workshops and continuing education seminars. Karen also taught Sunday school and helped with the Youth Program at First Christian Church in Yukon. Karen and Caleb enjoyed traveling with friends and family in their motor home. She enjoyed spending time with their friends and family, especially her grandchildren.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, Ernest Ray Heilaman, two nephews, David King and Daniel Haddock, and several aunts and uncles.

She left behind her husband, Stephen “Caleb” Rice of Yukon, OK, her mother Dennalee Heilaman of Yukon, OK, three children: daughter Stephanie Rice and husband Colin Roberts of Oklahoma City, daughter Tina Barela and husband Carlos “Bub” of Canute, OK and Matthew Rice and fiancé Celesta Noel of Tahlequah, OK, seven grandchildren: Kyle Beals, Shaina Beals, Sammy Barela, Devyn Rice, Elijah Driskill, Maverick Rice and Caleb “Peanut” Roberts. Karen was expecting her first great grandson “Acorn” in June 2017. She also left behind her siblings: Nina King, Delores Reeb and husband Jim, Anita Williams and husband Tommy, Shelly Barton and husband John, Mark Heilaman, many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, co-workers and former students.

Funeral Service
10:30 AM, Saturday, January 21, 2017
First Christian Church
601 Maple Yukon, OK 73099
Interment will be at Frisco Cemetery, Yukon, OK