Barbara Karen August, age 82, of Pahrump, Nevada passed away on August 17, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Barbara Karen DeFries, the beloved daughter of Leona and Robert DeFries, was born on August 17, 1941 in Oakley, Kansas.  Raised in Oakley, Chillicothe, Ohio, and Topeka, she was a graduate of Topeka High School.

She attended Washburn University of Topeka majoring in art and graphic design.  She was a freelance artist for several retail department stores in Topeka and an employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone of Topeka in their technical drafting department.  In 1972 she relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she was employed by Central Telephone in their Media Communications department.  Later she was employed with the tri-state regional utility company, Southwestern Gas Corporation in their corporate communications department.  While living in Las Vegas, she met the love of her life, Kevin L. August.  They were married in 1986.  In 2002, they retired to Pahrump, Nevada.  They spent their retirement years travelling the western United States sight-seeing and visiting many national parks.

Karen liked the music of the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees, and the Eberly Brothers.  She liked the novels of Robin Cook, John Grisham, and Dean Koontz.  She liked the "Rizzoli and Isles" television series, and was a Paul Newman fan.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, mother, and husband.  She passed August 17, 2023 at  Hickum Assisted Living Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She is survived by her brother Richard "Rick" DeFries of Wichita, Kansas, as well as many cousins.

Cremation has been chosen.  No services are planned.  Inurnment will be in the Oakley Cemetery at a future date.

Memorial to the Multiple Sclerosis Society may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS  67748.

Sign the online guestbook at www.kennedykosterfh.com.