Karen Junko Landreth

Karen Junko Landreth of Norman, OK was born on August 18, 1965 in Omaha, NE to June and Miyoko (Suzuki) Lemons. She passed after a long battle with Leukemia on August 22, just four days after her 51st birthday.

There are many words that can be used to describe Karen, but the best word to describe Karen was selfless. She always looked for the good in people and went out of her way to help and protect others. Karen was talented, passionate, and strong-willed in all that she did. Her high energy and inspiring attitude endeared her to most everyone she met.

Karen was very active and prided herself on being fit. She was often referred to as a Ninja by her family and friends because of her training in the Martial Arts and she taught Akido Budokan for 7 years into her late twenties. Karen enjoyed playing basketball, running track, and working out. It was at the gym that she met Steve Landreth, who she would later marry on May 22, 1998 in Oklahoma City.

Karen was working at a law firm when she and Steve met but shortly after that she decided to take to the skies as a flight attendant. She loved flying but when they decided to start a family Karen left the airline and began to explore her abilities in painting, specifically the faux trend that was becoming popular at that time. Painting evolved into interior design, and from this her business, L&M Designs, was born with her business partner Melonnie Summers.

Karen loved her husband and her girls and did everything she could to make sure that they were taken care of. To her oldest daughter, Sam, she was a friend and confidant. To her middle daughter, Taylor, she was a teacher and a coach, and to her youngest daughter, Trinity, her mini-me, she was everything. Karen would do anything for her girls, and she believed that they were her lasting legacy.

Karen was preceded in death by her brother, James Lemons, and her “first child” Marley the Cat. She is survived by: husband Steve Landreth; daughters Samantha “Sam”, Taylor, and Trinity; parents June and Miyoko Lemons of Oklahoma City; brother Kenny Lemons and wife Kayla of Edmond.