Karen Jean Yowell

Karen Jean Yowell, long time resident of Tonkawa, OK, died Friday, May 5, 2023. She was 75.

Karen was born to Joe Floyd and Barbara Jean (Behar) Yowell on October 4, 1947, in Blackwell, OK. Her father worked for Continental Oil for 15 years, and she and her brother, Joe Michael, moved to 8 different states growing up due to their father’s job. Karen was ill most of her life. At 11 years old, she had her first brain surgery, and a second brain surgery at 16 years old. Her family finally settled in Tonkawa in 1961 and she graduated from Tonkawa High School. She then went to NOC for 1 year, studying business. She worked as a secretary at the YMCA and then secretary at Ponca Hospital for most of her life. She married Billy Harkins on December 31, 1971, but he passed January 25, 1974.

Karen was living at Willow Haven in Tonkawa, where she loved playing cards, dominoes, and enjoyed those who visited and the company around her. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her mother Barbara Jean Yowell, and brother Joe “Mike” and wife Jennifer Yowell.

She is preceded in death by her father Joe Floyd Yowell.