Karen Sidener

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend Karen Gay Sidener, 64, of Glenpool, OK passed away on the morning of December 28th, 2024. Being a cancer survivor of almost 10 years, she was diagnosed with another mass 2 years ago. She fought hard and long, and is now at peace in the arms of Jesus.

Karen was born February 10, 1960 in Stockton, CA to Robert Dale and Mary Elaine Odneal. She attended Madison Elementary, Webster Jr. High, and Stagg High School. Camping was a hobby that her family enjoyed immensely. Karen shared many memories of her and her siblings running around the Sierra Nevadas particularly Hope Valley. Her older sister, Kimberly Gayle, was her biggest hero all her life. Karen followed Kim in different aspects of life such as softball, Job's Daughters and working at Senor Taco on Pacific Avenue in Stockton mid to late 70's. Karen was installed Honor Queen of Job's Daughters in December 1976, by the outgoing queen, her sister, Kim. Growing up as a member of East Side Presbyterian church, Karen accepted Jesus at a young age. She always kept Jesus as first priority throughout her life. Karen also loved ice skating, Disney movies, and making friends.

Graduating highschool in 1978, Karen attended San Joaquin Delta Jr. College. After that, she attended Fresno State University where she graduated with a bachelors degree in Liberal Studies in May 1983. She obtained a California teaching credential - taught elementary grades and was a substitute teacher for different school districts in the Stockton area. Her passion for teaching spilled over into homeschooling all 3 of her daughters.

Karen married the love of her life, Kevin Dean Sidener, in June 1985. They with their 3 daughters moved to Jenks, OK in 1994 where she continued homeschooling their girls. There she worked at the Tea Cup Restuarant managing and baking the delicious pies. She also worked at US Cellular. In 2010, she returned to her dream profession of teaching at Goddard School and later at Jenks Public School. Teaching was her passion, and she loved every child she had as a student. She was a soccer mom for all 3 of her daughters traveling for many games/tournaments over the span of 20 years. That hobby turned into being the number one race supporter for many races her family ran the past 10 years. She loved supporting her family and she was the best at it. Together over the years Karen and Kevin enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, painting (particularly Pinot's Pallete), and spending time with family.

Karen and her family were members of East Side Presbyterian Church in Stockton, CA and Church on the Move in Tulsa, OK. True to her calling, Karen taught VBS at East Side and Sunday School for 2 and 3 year olds at COTM for almost 20 years.

Karen was a very kind soul who made a friend everywhere she went. Her goal in life was to love people as God loves us, unconditionally. She made everyone she met feel valued.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Dale Odneal and Mary Elaine Odneal. She is survived by her husband, Kevin Dean Sidener of Glenpool, OK, daughters: Kendra Grace Bradley (Luke) of Jenks, OK, Danielle Joy Enkelmann (Jeff) of Jenks, OK, Deanna Hope Whitham (Cameron) of Broken Arrow, OK, grandchildren: Tatum Nicole Arthur, Tony Dean Arthur, Noah Lucas Bradley, Laila Grace Bradley, Karis Sue Bradley, Oliver Russell Whitham, Marni Joy Whitham, and her siblings Kimberly Gayle Morrell of Lemoore, CA and Kevin Dale Odneal of Stockton, CA.

Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services at 1 p.m. Friday, January 24th at Schaudt's Funeral Home 1329 E 151st St S, Glenpool, OK 74033. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to BCRF in memory of Karen Sidener.