Karen Elizabeth Truelove

Karen Elizabeth (Naylor) Truelove, 81 of Hartford, passed away on March 7, 2026, at the Life Care Center in Burlington, KS.

She was born to Robert and Marie Naylor on June 9, 1944, in Emporia, KS. She grew up on the family farm north of Gridley, KS, where she attended Gridley Grade School. The family moved to Burlington in 1958, and she graduated from Burlington High School in 1962. In high school, she was involved in numerous activities - glee club, choir, band, school play, pep club, student council, National Honor Society, Kayettes, homecoming court, and was senior class president.

She started dating Earl the spring of their freshman year, and they married on May 29, 1964. She attended Emporia State University and graduated after three years with her bachelor's degree in secondary education. She later completed her master’s degree, also at ESU. She taught high school math in Hartford, Lebo, Burlington, and Hamilton, all while helping Earl run the farm and raising their three kids, Rex, Tammi, and Mary. She eventually moved to teach college algebra at Emporia State until her retirement from education. She worked at the Elmendaro Library in Hartford for several years following her retirement.

She took great pride in being a wife and mother, and was immensely proud of her two grandchildren, Ashlyn and Cody. No matter the event or activity, if she could find a way to be there, she made it happen. From 4H, school programs, musical performances and sports events, she cheered them on. She and Earl enjoyed two special road trips with their grandkids and daughters to Yellowstone National Park in 2015, and to the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, and Four Corners in 2016.

She was a woman of great faith and was very involved with activities at Harford United Methodist Church. Her greatest loves were playing the piano and organ and making pies for Penny Suppers. She would also spend endless hours outside with her flowers and garden - especially her famous sweet corn - and passing on all she knew about gardening and cooking and faith and family.

She was a model of humility and selfless service to God and others. A great hole has been left in the hearts of many, but she will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Marie Naylor, and her sister, Jan Naylor. She is survived by her husband of almost 63 years, Earl of the home; her son Rex (Ronda) Truelove; daughter Tammi (Shane) Garriott; daughter Mary Truelove; two grandchildren Ashlyn Garriott and Cody Garriott; brother Don (Trudy) Naylor; and numerous nieces and nephews who were special people in her life.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Hartford United Methodist Church. Burial will follow services at Hartford Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Harford United Methodist Women or to the Elmendaro Library After School Program in her honor and sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box #43, Lebo, Kansas 66856. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.