Karen J. RussellHutchinson, KS

Karen Janette Russell, 89, of Hutchinson, passed away January 28, 2026, at Hester Care Center – The Wesley. She was born July 2, 1936, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Damon H. and Vivian D. (Vincent) McFadden.

Karen was known as a strong, determined, and no-nonsense woman who held herself—and everyone around her—to high standards. While she could be strict and demanding, those who truly knew her understood that it all came from a deep heart of gold and a genuine desire to see others succeed.

She graduated from Nickerson High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Karen taught second through eighth grade at South Hutchinson Elementary School before making KR Training Stables her full-time career. Later in life Karen earned her master’s degree from Wichita State University in special education and then taught special education at Prairie Hills Middle School in Buhler, where her patience, discipline, and dedication left a lasting impact on countless students.

Karen’s greatest passion was horses and teaching her students to be better riders. For more than 60 years, she gave riding lessons and trained horses, retiring only in her mid-80s. She judged Quarter Horse shows for over 40 years (in nearly every state) and also judged shows in Canada and Israel. Karen was a member of both the Kansas Quarter Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association. In 2005, she was inducted into the Kansas Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and was recognized as an AQHA Professional Horseman.

Her success as a riding instructor was deeply rooted in her background as an educator. Her teaching methods were so effective they were featured in the American Quarter Horse Journal. Karen coached many youth who went on to become world champions, and she took great pride in the discipline, confidence, and work ethic she instilled in her students—both in the classroom and the arena.

When she wasn’t teaching or traveling, Karen enjoyed life’s simple routines. She never missed her standing hair and nail appointments, loved lemon drop candies, and took great care in always looking her best—details that reflected her meticulous nature and personal pride. Karen was a longtime season ticket holder at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre and always looked forward to attending the upcoming shows.

Karen is survived by her son, Burke (Dini) Russell; grandchildren, Tanner Russell and Taden Russell, all of Sarasota, Florida, and Kayla (Jesse) May of Wichita; great-grandchildren, Tyten May, Amylia May, and Paisley May; along with a host of nephews, cousins, and hundreds of friends and former students who became her extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Amy Sue Russell.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2026, at Elliott Mortuary, with Reverend Mike Rose officiating. Burial will follow at Sterling Community Cemetery, Sterling. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday. Friends will also gather from 1:00 p.m. until service time Friday to share memories of Karen.

Memorials are suggested to Reins of Hope, Hutchinson, and/or the Karen Russell Memorial Fund at the Kansas Quarter Horse Association (KQHA), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. To benefit the Karen Rossell Memorial Fund at the Kansas Quarter Horse Association, please make the check payable to the Kansas Quarter Horse Association, with Karen Russell Memorial Fund in the memo line.