Karen Elizabeth Nicholson

Karen Elizabeth Zakes Nicholson joined our Lord, her loving parents, and her beloved black Labs on January 19, 2021. Karen was born October 9, 1950, in Clarksville, Ark., to John and Genevieve Zakes. She graduated from Zama High School in Tokyo, Japan while her family lived both in Seoul, Korea and in Japan. After high school, Karen studied at the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She then joined the second graduating class of the University of Central Arkansas, earning an advanced degree in physical therapy. She moved to Dallas, Texas in 1973 to complete her education to become a physical therapist. Among her plentiful gifts, Karen was an active and expert gardener. Just as her favorite flowers needed thoughtful, kind care and loving devotion to properly bloom, those same principles could be seen in Karen every day. Evident to all those around her, Karen cultivated and grew a life full of deep, profound joy in her family, quiet grace, and a sly humor. Her work in life also spread those same caring gifts outward. Karen worked as a physical therapist for the Visiting Nurses Association, primarily working with the elderly. Later, she volunteered for VNA Meals on Wheels, the Dallas Arboretum, and Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas. Beloved by all who knew her, she is survived by her husband, Bill; her sisters, JoAnne Jennings and Cynthia Pitts; her son and daughter-in-law, John and Shannon; and her grandchildren, Will and Sophie. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden (dallasarboretum.org), VNA Meals on Wheels (VNATexas.org), or Bonton Farms (bontonfarms.org). Karen leaves a grand legacy as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.