Karen Cowan

Karen Cowan June 2, 1950 – November 14, 2025

Karen Cowan, 75, of Waco, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025. She was born on June 2, 1950, to Ernest Ray Starmer and Lucy Marie Gresson in Dallas, Texas, and grew up surrounded by the love of her family. On June 16, 1965, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, she married the love of her life, SGM William Curtis Cowan, beginning a 60-year journey filled with devotion, partnership, and deep family roots.

Karen was a homemaker for most of her life—a role she embraced wholeheartedly. Her home was a place of warmth, comfort, laughter, and unwavering love. She found joy in simple pleasures: reading, cooking, watching birds from the comfort of her hot tub, and sharing a weekly pinochle game with her family. She especially loved traveling with her husband, whether on scenic road trips or aboard cruise ships, and continued to do so up until her final days. Above all, Karen treasured the time she spent with her loved ones. Her kindness, gentle spirit, and boundless capacity to love left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Peggy Hamilton; and her grandson, David James Lee Cowan.

Karen is survived by her devoted husband, SGM William Cowan; her children Mona Lisa and Steve Davies, William Cowan Jr. and Michele Cowan, James and Caroline Cowan, and David Cowan; and her grandchildren Savanna and Zachary Humphrey, William Cowan III, Johnathan and Taylor Hartstack, Mamie Cowan, Benjamin Davies, Jocie Davies, Jaymie Cowan, Daykota Cowan, Matthew Cowan, and David Cowan. She also leaves behind great-grandchildren Jaysa Humphrey, Tristen Humphrey, Brooklynn Zachgo, Athena Zachgo, Jordan Hartstack, Jason Hartstack, Niklaus Hartstack, Quentin Hartstack, Opal Hartstack, Vera Hartstack, Aiden Popham, Anthony Cowan, and Tristen Knutson Jr.

Karen’s legacy is one of love, family, and gentleness. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all whose lives she touched.