August 20, 1931 — April 20, 2026

La Junta, Colorado

 

Obituary

Mary Lou (Autry) Karney, 94, of La Junta, Colorado peacefully passed away Monday, April 20, in Pueblo, Colorado following a brief illness. She was born August 20,1931, in La Junta to Joe and Tillie (Ballou) Autry.

Mary Lou married Russell Karney on August 2, 1953, he preceded her death on March 19, 2026. Together they became parents, grandparents and great-grandparents over the span of a 72-year marriage.

Mary Lou grew up in Higbee, Colorado on a ranch near Salt Creek where she was the oldest of seven children. She was born into a ranching family and times were tough in her adolescent years. She learned how to use and appreciate every bit of an animal raised on their homestead. She frequently reminded grandchildren she enjoyed eating chicken feet and was no stranger to whipping up scrambled eggs and brains. Despite her placement in life, she had aspirations to be a career woman in “town.” So upon graduating the eighth grade Mary Lou moved to La Junta where her Grandmother Bullard ran a boarding house, affording Mary Lou the opportunity to attend La Junta High School. Upon graduating in 1949 she became a telephone operator until the young man she was going steady with returned from the Korean War in 1953. Russ and Mary Lou wasted no time getting married and started a life together August 2, 1953. Together they built a warm and loving home where they raised four children.

Mary Lou was a homemaker for years before picking up babysitting as a way to supplement the family's income. As her children got older she found great joy in working at East Otero School District and the Colorado Boys Ranch as a teacher’s aide. She loved the camaraderie that came with working at a school. There’s no doubt she touched countless children’s lives and helped establish a lasting legacy of educators in the Karney family who have followed in her footsteps.

Mary Lou was an active member of her community. She was a member of The Red Hat Club, Retired Teachers Organization and PEO Chapter GM. Mary Lou was also part of a philanthropic sorority which over the years morphed into her “therapy” group—a band of women who worked to help children in their local community. They plotted during monthly Tuesday lunches that Mary Lou attended religiously.

Although her death was sudden, the family takes great comfort in knowing Russ and Mary Lou, partners of 72 years, were only apart for a month before their glorious reunion in Heaven.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Rhonda (Doug) Johannes of Arvada, CO; Patrick (Robin) Karney of Las Animas, CO; Kevin (Verleen) Karney of La Junta, CO; & Lisa (Doug Tressler) Karney of Lawrence, KS; grandchildren, Kelsey (Andy) Schweizer of La Junta, CO; Seth (Erin) Johannes of Broomfield, CO; Tyler (Kashley) Karney of Ordway, CO; Ashley (Terry) Grasser of Las Animas, CO; Erin (Joe) Spaur of Johnstown, CO; Bo (Abbie) Karney of Branson, CO; Katelyn (Cade) Luckett of Idalou, TX; Aislyn (Keaton) Hatch of Canyon, TX; Drew (Paige) Lower of Manzanola, CO; Dylan (Rosa) Lower of Las Vegas, NV; & Karlie Lower of Lenexa, KS; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Osa Amend, Betty Daniels, Wanda (Bill) Little, Bertha Bruce, and Jake (Deb) Autry; numerous nieces & nephews also survive. She is preceded in death by her husband, Russell E. Karney; parents, Joe and Tillie Autry; brother, Charles “Bub” Autry.

Graveside service will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta with Pastor Jeb Brown of River of Life Church in Ordway, officiating.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Evergreen Gardens in La Junta, Sangre De Cristo Hospice and Joni Fair Hospice House in Pueblo, for their kindness, knowledge and dedication during Mary Lou’s final days.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to P.E.O. Chapter GM (111 E. 4th St.; La Junta, CO 81050) for the local scholarship, or to Otero College Foundation Scholarships (Give to Otero College Scholarships). 

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.