Karen L. Ellison

Karen L. Ellison, 75, of Fritch, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Private memorial services will be held at a later date.

Karen was born March 11, 1948 in Amarillo, Texas to Joe and Fern Warnecke. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1966, and went on to earn her associate degree as an LVN at Amarillo College of Nursing. She married Donald “Don” Ellison, Sr. on August 3, 1968. Karen worked as a nurse for Dr. McCaleb for many years, until her retirement in 1995. She traveled the world with Don during his Army service. Karen and Don were very active in the Khiva Shrine. Karen volunteered thousands of hours with the Red Cross. She was active in several places, including Alaska, New Jersey and Landstuhl, Germany. She helped organize the first Red Cross Chapter in the state of Alaska. Mostly, Karen was fiercely dedicated to her family, always putting her family’s needs before her own. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Johnny Warnecke; a grandson, Charles Davis Johnston; and a great-grandson, Huxton Ray Ellison.

Survivors include her husband, Don Ellison, Sr. of Fritch; three sons, Tim Sheble of Schertz, TX, Don Ellison, Jr. and wife Tammy of Claude, and Joe Bob Ellison and wife Liana of Leander, TX; a daughter, Cindy Shehan and husband Mike of Oklahoma City, OK; two brothers, Joey Warnecke and wife Anne of Amarillo, and Rodney Warnecke and wife Terri of Midwest City, OK; nine grandchildren, Christopher Ellison, Amanda Shehan, Donald “Trey” Ellison, III and wife Katelynn, Stacey Shehan, Rebecca Ellison, Jonathan Sheble, Cole Ellison, Zachary Sheble, and Caleb Ellison; and three great-grandchildren, Cali, Jacob, and Kambree.

The family suggests memorial donations may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children; or the Amarillo Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.