Karen Sue Hite, 78, of rural Albion, lovingly known as "Dear," "Mom," "Grandma," and "GG," passed away peacefully at her home at 7:32 a.m. Saturday, September 9. 2023.

Born on November 25, 1944, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Alfreida (Schmidt) West. She grew up in Fort Wayne, graduating from North Side High School in 1963.

On August 28, 1963, she married Ken A. Hite. They made their first home in Fort Wayne, moving to rural Albion in 1970. Celebrating 60 years of marriage recently, the couple raised two children.

Being born near Thanksgiving, she adopted it as "her" holiday. She loved being surrounded by her family and enjoyed a big meal. Karen's favorite saying was, "A woman's work is never done." She said it jokingly but lived it seriously as she never sat down. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, gardening, playing cards, and garage sale-ing. She loved to laugh and was a devoted friend. Karen will be dearly missed by all who knew her, for to know her was to love her.

She leaves behind her beloved husband Ken; two children, Keith (Jenny) Hite of New Carlisle and Kristy S. (Kirk) Fulk of Avilla; grandchildren, Cassandra Hite, Anastasia Hite, Jaden Vervynckt, Lilly Hite, Taylor (Carol) Fulk, Rachel (Austin) Brown, Lauren (Erik) Tom; great-grandchildren, Calvin & Mara Brown, Rosalie & Lukas Tom, and Eliza & Emery Fulk; brothers, Tom (Linda) West and Jimmy West; and sister, Cheryl Winterwest.

The funeral service is at noon on Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the Merriam Christian Chapel Cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the service Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Karen's honor are to Stillwater Hospice, Fort Wayne.