Karen Jean Crisp, 71, longtime former resident of Fort Morgan passed away Friday, August 3, 2018 at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska.

Karen was born on Oct. 13, 1946, to Linus & Ellen (Venard) Mese in Fort Morgan, Colorado, where she was raised and attended school. She graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1964. Karen was the third of seven children, Dwayne, Larry, Lance "Buzzy", Teresa, Jeff, and Tom.

She married Archie Crisp on July 24, 1965, in Fort Morgan, Colorado. To this union two sons were born, Bryan and Douglas.

Karen loved spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoyed the many kids she had over the years as an in home day care provider and foster parent, always hugging and kissing the babies.

Archie and Karen moved to Mullen in 2003, where Karen carried on her love for kids and worked at the Mullen school cafeteria.

She always had a passion for racing. After her retirement, she got her own race car and became known as "Racing Granny" at the Julesburg race track. She spent several weekends at the track, racing with Bryan and Tanner. Somewhat different than when she was in school and would street race against the boys. She would say, "that was just one chapter in my book of many." She loved to crochet and had a lifelong hobby of collecting rocks and turtles.

Karen was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lloyd & Alice (Ingmire) Venard and Frank & Elizabeth Meis; her parents, Linus & Ellen Mese; and her brothers, Larry Mese and Lance "Buzzy" Mese.

Karen is survived by her husband, Archie Crisp of Mullen, Neb.; sons, Bryan (Lynnette) Crisp of Mullen and Douglas (Wendy) Crisp of Sundance, Wyo.; grandchildren, Tanner (Katie) Crisp of Mullen, Lauren (Cody) Hollenbeck of Mullen, Ashley (Josh) Idler of Sundance, Wyo., Kayla (Eric) McCue of Pine Haven, Wyo.; great-grandchildren, Riggin Hollenbeck of Mullen, Kinley Crisp of Mullen, Nevaeh, Jashlyn, Hunter, Archer, Trapper, Walker and Aspen Idler of Sundance, Andrew and Carson McCue of Pine Haven; brothers, Dwayne (Sue) Mese of Fort Morgan, Colo., Tom of Fort Morgan, Jeff (Sheri) Mese of Loveland, Colo.; sister, Teresa Mese of Loveland; and several nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom she loved very much.

Memorial graveside services and inurnment will be held at a later date at the Cedarview Cemetery in Mullen, Nebraska.