Karen Sue McGurk, my mom, was born in Elk City, Oklahoma on November 14, 1949 to John and Lillian Reinschmiedt. She passed on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Karen’s childhood was one filled with love, hard work, and a strong sense of family.
Her father was a dedicated farmer, and her mother worked just as tirelessly running the home and caring for their four daughters Karen, Pamela, Debra, and Linda. Karen was the oldest of the four and took her role very seriously. She was an integral part of helping her mother guide her younger sisters.
From assisting with homework to teaching piano to just being a role model, her sisters recall with warmth the impact she had upon their childhood years.
Karen first and foremost was a scholar.
She graduated from Clinton, Oklahoma High School in 1968 as valedictorian with a 4.0. She, then, continued to Southwestern State College (which was renamed Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1974) to graduate Summa Cum Laude in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry certified by the American Chemical Society.
Southwestern is where she met her future husband, Donald John McGurk. They were married December 31, 1972. She continued her academic pursuits at Oklahoma State University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from OSU with a dual doctorate in Organic and Biochemistry in 1976.
Karen truly was a brilliant woman. Following her years of study, she was drawn to teaching, which became her true calling. She returned to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1976 to begin what was ultimately a 31 year career in their chemistry department.
Her husband, Donald, was also a professor at SWOSU, and their offices were, at times, side by side. Being my teacher twice during my own years at SWOSU, I truly saw the gift she had at teaching, which was impressed upon her at an early age with her sisters. I would watch and listen to her interact with her students.
They were always comfortable, and told me as much, coming to her with any questions and concerns.
She had a way of communicating topics which made them easier to comprehend, and she had a patience with her students that I still have yet to find.
Karen and her husband both retired in 2007. She is now a SWOSU Department of Chemistry and Physics Emeriti. During these years, Karen and Don also began their family. They had two children. Suzanne Kaye McGurk Burnett, myself, was born on February 8, 1977 and John Michael McGurk on April 24, 1985. Karen and Donald resided in Weatherford, Oklahoma all their married life.
My parents created an amazing childhood for my brother and myself. My mom loved being surrounded by her family more than anything. Her interests outside of teaching were centered around the home. She was an amazing cook and baker. Despite working a full-time job, there was always a home-cooked meal on the table every evening. She always made sure delicious desserts were baked over the weekend, which my father enjoyed every morning for breakfast. She was also an amazing seamstress.
She sewed many of my church dresses, countless doll clothing, and even altered my wedding dress.
She was very exacting and excelled at everything she held an interest in.
Being a teacher and scholar, Karen took the education of her children extremely seriously. I credit her and my father for the motivation and encouragement that they provided me at a very early age, which allowed me to fulfill my goals. Love, hard work, and family still were the foundation of her life. And cats.
Many, many cats.
Stray cats seemed to wander up to our house on a regular basis, and no “new friend” was turned away. My parents had a freestanding house built to accommodate the cats safely at nighttime. I believe 14 was the largest count at one point.
Upon the passing of her husband in 2010, Karen moved to Little Rock, Arkansas to be closer to me. While her later years did involve struggles, they were also full of warm memories. She essentially witnessed both of her granddaughters, Rebecca and Sydney, grow into their now-teenage years. She was also my constant confidant. She became my friend as well as just my mother.
Karen is survived by her daughter: Dr.
Suzanne Burnett, her son-in-law: Dr. Hugh Burnett, her granddaughters: Rebecca and Sydney Burnett, her sisters: Dr. Pamela Reichert, Dr.
Debra Gudgel, and Dr. Linda Nimmo, her brothers-in-laws: Dr.
Joseph Reichert and Dr. Charles Nimmo, and her nieces: Jessica Hicks, Melissa Reichert, Jamie Johnson, Emily Moore, and Angela Penry.
Memorials may be given to: Peace Lutheran Church, P.O.
Box 97 Bessie, OK 73622, Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary P.O. Box 1965 Weatherford, OK 73096, or Alzheimer’s Disease Research donate. brightfocus.org.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 A.M. at the Peace Lutheran Church near Bessie, OK. Burial will follow at the Peace Lutheran Cemetery, under the direction of the Lee Hometown Funeral Home.