Karen Michele Thirtle, age 62, of Cuero, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026.

Born on June 26, 1964 in Cuero, Texas, Karen was raised in Clute, Texas and graduated from Brazoswood high school. She married her husband, Alan Thirtle celebrating 45 years of marriage. Together they raised 4 children. Karen worked at Ney Elementary for several years, owned KT’s Grill, and assisted at the Tae Kwon Do after school program. Every venture she started she did with all of her passion and heart. An avid reader, an amazing cross stitcher and a collector of DVDs. She enjoyed attending comic conventions and going on cruises whenever and where-ever she could.

Karen dedicated her life to her family and was the caretaker for her grandmother, Laura Evelyn King aka Granny. Granny is where she got her love for horses and other animals. If she could have she would have spent every minute with Granny.

Karen Michele Thirtle, one of many names, some of her favorite names were Laurie-brend-ah-karen, because she knew the only person that called her that was one the most important person of her life, Granny. Karen-Tom is the one my dad called her. Four kids and they called her mom, the grief and stress the kids provided her with is uncalculated, but she is proud of her kids, because she knows they worked their butts off to get to where they are today. She also went by Happy, because she made her grandson so very happy on a daily basis. Happy was her "grandma" name, and she doted on her grandson daily. Karen's main focus in her life was family, she cared deeply for everyone for so very long, she worked hard to help anyone who needed her, and she forgave in an enviable fashion.

Karen loved the study of genealogy and researched her family's history extensively. She took classes constantly to learn more about how to study genealogy. Collecting stories and pictures of her family's history. She started her genealogy adventure for her love of history and to find her dad, she eventually did find his story, gaining a half-sister and a stepmother, Diane, that she has grown very close with.

Her family and friends will always remember her for the deep love she had for her family, and the sacrifices she has made for them; and the complete dedication she had to her grandchild.

Karen is lovingly remembered by her husband Alan Thirtle; Her children: Thomas Thirtle, Jennifer Thirtle, Stephanie Thirtle, and Christopher Thirtle; and her grandchild, Theodore Ramirez.

She was preceded in death by her Grandmother Laura Evelyn King and Aunt Nina Copenhaver.

A celebration of life will be held on the 18th day of September 2026 at Lakewood Funeral home, 98 Dixie Dr, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that you make donations to:

Little Longear Miniature Donkey Rescue at https://www.littlelongears.org/how-you-can-help/

Todd Mission Ranch Rescue at https://www.tmrrescue.com/donate

Habitat for Horses at https://habitatforhorses.org/support-us/donate-now