Obituary of Karen Elizabeth Adams

Karen Elizabeth Adams, 71, of Greeley, passed away at her home on August 20, 2023 surrounded by her family.  She was born December 4, 1951 in Fremont, Nebraska to Ernest Martin and Mary Ineze (Rowe) Willcock.  At the age of nine, Karen’s mother passed away and then at the age of 15 her father passed away and she was moved to Fort Collins to live with an aunt and uncle. 

Karen graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1970 and then attended Highland Hills Beauty Academy in Greeley. 

In April 1972, she married William “Bill” Jay Adams in Greeley.  Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army and they lived together for three months in Prince George, VA while he went through training at Fort Lee, VA before being stationed in Vicenza, Italy where they lived for 1 ½ years before returning back to Greeley.

Karen worked at Gibson’s in Greeley, where she met Bill.  She also worked as a CNA at Kenton Manor, The Rag Merchant, Toddy’s and EFTC which later became StarTek before retiring. 

The most important job to Karen was being a mom and raising her family.  She enjoyed traveling from coast to coast to enjoy time on the beach, being in the mountains, scrapbooking, making hand-made cards, growing plants and flowers, shopping for shoes, clothes, purses and finding the perfect gift for each occasion for family and friends.  She was very accepting of new members to their family and most enjoyed time with her grandchildren, attending all of their activities and games. 

Being a survivor of breast cancer, Karen supported numerous charity events, including Relay for Life.

Thankful to have shared her life are her husband, Bill, children; Jim (Amanda) Adams, Jeff (Sarah) Adams and Jennifer (Matt) Lopezi, eight grandchildren; Liam, Moira, Lily, Bella, McKenna, Maddy, Landon and Bri, her brother, Kenn Willcock, her sister, Lori (Ron) Gormley, mother-in-law, Jane Adams and her brother-in-law, Tom (Vicki) Adams as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law, James “Jim” Adams, sister-in-law, Virginia “Ginner” Schell and brother-in-law, Dan Adams. 

Karen’s Life Celebration will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2023 at Adamson with a reception to follow.  Memorial gifts may be made to “American Cancer Society” in care of Adamson, 2000 47^th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.  Condolences may be shared at AdamsonCares.com.