Dewey County Obituary
Sunnyside Cemetery

aka Vici

Karen Joy McCracken Linder

Born: September 09, 1950 - Died: December 17, 2015

© SHAW-REDINGER FUNERAL HOMES
VICI, DEWEY CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

Karen Joy McCracken Linder of Vici, OK, passed from this life at the age of 65, with her loved ones by her side on December 17, 2015. She was born September 9, 1950, one mile west of Parkland, OK, on the family farm to Roy Martin and Ida Emma (Covington) Greenfield. She was the youngest of six children. She remembered working on the dairy, running the Carney Grocery Store, hoeing peanuts and helping at the family restaurant; however, her older siblings disputed these memories of her "hard" labor. She lost her father at the age of 13. She recalled going fishing many times with her mom to help with her mother's grief.

Karen was baptized July 5, 1965, by Doyle Combs into the General Assembly and Church Of The Firstborn to which she remained faithful until her death.

Karen's family moved often during her school years. She graduated from Agra High School as vice-president, with the Class of 1968. She spoke often of good times roaming with cousins, church friends and spending many nights at her Aunt Norma's house. After graduation, she moved to Wichita, KS, for employment. While in Wichita she fell in love with Ronnie Earl McCracken. They were married December 6, 1968. They were soon blessed with a daughter, Candace Lea, and a year later a son, Shannon Earl. Their family moved from Wichita, KS, to Vici, OK. They had many fond memories of family vacations and building their new home. Karen's little family enjoyed their time together which was cut too short when they lost Ronnie in 1987. In an attempt to provide for her family, Karen took a job working at Basler Insurance. While working there, she made two lifelong friends in Dob and Za. This friendship helped to carry her through a tough time in her life.

Karen began a new chapter in her life when she married Gary Linder on September 30, 1995. At this time, she gained eight more children. Karen and Gary together finished raising his three youngest children. They owned and operated Action Tree Service, which employed many friends and family. They were blessed with many trips and a home that was full of brethren and friends. This was a very happy time in her life because there was never a dull moment with the Linder family. In 2009, Karen once again suffered a huge loss with the passing of Gary.

Karen returned home to Vici in 2014, where she focused on her family and enjoyed being back with her old friends and church family. She read her Bible on a daily basis and had many good works. She cared for the sick including her Mom and Mother-in-law. She took food, visited many, and helped with new born babies including several of her grandchildren. She had a very caring and giving heart toward all people. Granny enjoyed watching her kids and grandkids' activities. She was excited about becoming a "great-granny" soon. “Faith” and “family” were her top priorities

She was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Ida Greenfield, husbands Ronnie McCracken and Gary Linder, son Gary Dean Linder, grandson Forrest Linder, four infant siblings, brother Jim Hopper and sister Zeola Wilkinson.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children Candace and Terry Gregory, Shannon and Melanie McCracken, Melissa and Robert Watkins, Sheila and Derrick McGaughy, Shalesha and Steven Edwards, Jewel and Brad Miller, Johnny and Tara Linder, David and Colette Linder, James and Sheila Linder, and Cassie and Bryan Sanders; 37 grandkids; soon to come great-granddaughter; sisters Sis Wright and Marvadeen McCracken; brother Bud and Janice Greenfield; and a host of family, brethren and friends.

SERVICES
Graveside Service
Monday, December 21, 2015
Sunnyside Cemetery
East of Vici, OK on Hwy 51
Vici, Oklahoma 73859
Visitation Saturday ~ 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday ~ 2:oo pm to 8:00 pm Monday ~ At Church