Karen Michelle Loos Copeland

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, daughter, niece, sister, grandma and friend, Karen Michelle Loos Copeland. Karen, 54, of Blue Springs, MO, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025, after a brief and courageous battle against unexpected illness. Just as she came into this world, she departed it: in the company of those who loved her most, gently, and with a confidence in her faith that those of us who knew her could only describe as aspirational. She knew where she was going, and in her final days, she was more concerned that those of us left behind would be okay without her.

Karen was born to Christine Riley and Brian Loos in Kansas City, MO on October 4, 1970. She was a brilliant, ambitious child – a dreamer – and she could lose herself for hours in imaginary play, creating poetry, or writing short stories. She was a believer in the good in humanity, unconditionally loyal and accepting of others, and she knew no strangers, only friends. She grew into a multi-faceted, strong, and loving woman, yet her belief in goodness and a dreamer’s spirit remained ingrained in the very fibers of her soul throughout the entirety of her life.

While she had several jobs over the course of her life, Karen saved the best for last: she spent her final years driving a cab to take kids to and from school. It comes as no surprise to anyone who knew her that the kiddos loved her, and she loved them back, considering it a privilege to start and end each day with them. She could find (and make) family anywhere, even at work. The only job Karen loved more was becoming “Grammy” to Legend, Jacob, Arieana, Everly, Keizer, and Aurora. It was the joy of her life to have them in it, and it was the joy of ours to watch her love them so fully and completely – just as she was made for the role. Karen’s family and friends were always her priority, and anyone who knew her described her as supportive, a giver of great advice, and a willing ear for anyone who needed it. She was non judgmental and kind, with an infectious laugh and a sarcastic sense of humor that could brighten the bleakest of moments. She was always ready for a good time, loved good music (turned up loud, of course), loved being a mom, and loved her fur babies. She remained an optimist, a gentle spirit, and a firecracker until the very end. There are few people so unabashedly themselves as Karen was; she was a force to be reckoned with and could not be dulled no matter the circumstance.

Karen will be lovingly remembered by her mother, Christine Riley; uncle, Jeff Riley; sons and daughters, Gage Holler, Destini Yohe (Jake), Zoie Stubbs (Matt), Chuck Copeland (Kelcey), and Chance Copeland (Karly Johnson); grandchildren Legend, Jacob, Arieana, Everly, Keizer, and Aurora; step siblings, Beth and Todd; life-long friends, Tami Schallenberg and Lynn Pagitt; and numerous other family and friends who loved her dearly and were loved in return.

She was preceded in death by her father, Brian Loos; step-father, Anthony Mammolito; her grandpa Bobby (Loos), grandma Barbara (Smith), her grandma Alice and her papa Gerald (Riley), who met her at the gates to welcome her home.

Memorial Services will be held on July 11, 2025, at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown MO, 64134 from 2 to 4 PM, with a celebration in Karen’s honor to be planned at a future date.

“His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”

Matthew 25:21