Karen Richardson

Karen Richardson, 80, of Moberly, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at her home. She was born January 10th, 1935 in Anderson, Iowa to Edward and Edith Westergaard. The Westergaard Family moved to Galt in northern Missouri when Karen was 3 years old. Her first 3 years of school were spent in a one room school house in the Berry Community. Then she attended Galt Public School, graduating high School in 1953. The Westergaard Family worshipped at the Berry Community Church just down the road from their country home near Galt. Karen accepted Christ and was baptized there when she was 13 years old. They had to break the ice in Sharp’s family farm for the baptism. This worried Karen’s mother Edith as she had recently recovered from being sick. After high school Karen attended Chillicothe Bible College where she first met Jack Richardson. This college was a forerunner of Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, MO. She began her study at Gard Business College in St. Joseph, MO and then moved by bus to attend CCCB where she graduatuted in May of 1960. She and Jack were married August 19th, 1960 at Union Ave. Christian Church in Moberly, MO. Three children were added to this union, Alicia Joy, Scot Henry, and Teddy Jack. Karen and Jack trailed in a small trailer as Jack worked as Superintendent of Construction for Goodman Church Builders constructing churches and dorm buildings for Bible College campuses. They lived in Nebraska, Illinois, Pennnsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio, and Missouri. Finally settling in Moberly to finish raising their three children and helping to raise many grandchildren. Those preceding her in death include her parents Edward and Edith, her brother Lawrence; her granddaughter Courtney Richardson, Sister-in-Law Shirley Ann, and her two Brother-In-Laws Bob Gadberry and Eddie Baker. Survivors include: her husband Jack, children Alicia Copenhaver of Hannibal, Scot Richardson (Wife-Liz Richardson) of Concord NH, and Ted Richardson (Wife-Jodie Richardson) of Moberly MO. Surviving siblings include: Mary Ann Gadberry, Jimmy Westergaard, Joyce Baker, and Carol Jean Elliot. Also nine grandchildren: Ashley, Derek, Jordan, Tristan, Dylan, Carter, Evan, Abigail, and Aaron. As well as six Great Grandchildren: Bryson, Haley, Payton, Quinton, Shelby, and Liam. A memorial service celebrating Karen’s life will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Timber Lake Christian Church in Moberly. Memorial contributions are appreciated to Timber Lake Christian Church, 1624 Gratz Brown St., Moberly, Mo 65270 and Central Christian College of the Bible, 911 E. Urbandale, Moberly, Mo 65270.