Lela May (Stine) Karns, 93, of Dalhart, Texas, passed away in Amarillo, Texas on April 18, 2024, surrounded by her family, following a brief illness.

Lela was born in Benson, Illinois on August 31, 1930, to Charles C. and Josephine (Thierer) Stine. She spent her childhood in Benson and graduated from Benson H igh School. Following high school, Lela spent time working in the offices of Caterpillar Construction in Peoria, Illinois, before marrying. She and her husband, Norval, relocated from Illinois to Michigan, returning to Illinois and going on to live in Toluca, Edwardsville, and then in Roanoke, where they raised their four daughters. After Norval's retirement, they lived in Lake Placid, Florida, for 15 years, and in 2005, they moved to Dalhart, Texas, with winters spent in Rio Hondo, Texas.

A busy homemaker and the proud mother of her four daughters, Lela dedicated herself to her family and her home: sewing, making home-cooked meals, canning food, baking, and frequently gardening. She was a devoted wife and mother and cherished her close relationships with all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her nieces, nephews, and other family members. Every Christmas, she loved to make candy for family and friends, especially her grandchildren even though they lived far away, showing her creative spirit and deep love for her family. Treasured by friends and her community as well, Lela made friends with anyone and everyone, even when visiting her family in different areas of the country. She had a deep connection to her Christian faith, and made time each week to attend church, even continuing virtually when she was unable to attend in person.

Loyal, honest, and sweet, Lela stood strong in her beliefs, and knew exactly how she wanted to live life. The best years of her life were spent camping, fishing and vacationing with her beloved family. Fishing was a special passion of hers, from the dock off the family home in Florida all the way to her home in south Texas. The water was always a love of hers, and she loved going out on the boat with her husband and family whenever she could. She enjoyed spending her time bird-watching; spotting orioles, caring for her beloved hummingbirds, and walking around to see the wildlife. She engaged in an active social life, keeping active by playing cards with her friends and family, shuffleboard, and pool. Known for her love of cards, Lela was quite the card shark, and she played as often as she could. Adventurous but also able to spend time relaxing, Lela loved working on puzzles, and tried to never miss an episode of Wheel of Fortune. A loving, warm soul with a big family and a legacy to her children and grandchildren, Lela will be missed by all who knew her shared time with her.

Lela is survived by her four daughters, Karen Lawrence, Kirby, Texas; Janet Wilson, Dalhart, Texas; Kathy (Jim) Curry, Goodyear, Arizona; Jeri (John) Faber, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Joshua (Stephanie) Vogel, Dalhart, Texas; Juston (Macy) Wilson, Marysville, Ohio; Jonathan (Leslie) Wilson, Amarillo, Texas; Jessica (A.J.) Auza, Enumclaw, Washington; Jarret Wilson, Amarillo, Texas; Douglas Miller, Kirby, Texas; Michael Curry and David Curry, Gaithersburg, Maryland; Zachary Faber, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and Kyle Faber, Westminster, Colorado; and her great-grandchildren, Gracie Jo, Charlotte Reese and Caroline Kay Wilson; Amelia Mae Auza; and Enzo Parker Wilson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norval Karns; her parents; and her four siblings.

A memorial service will be held for Lela on Saturday, May 11, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Central Methodist Church, 517 Rock Island Ave., Dalhart, Texas.