Karen Rae (Zink) Stout

Karen Rae (Zink) Stout, 73, of Salem, Indiana, passed away on December 16, 2023. Karen will be remembered as a loving mother, wife, sister, aunt, cousin, teacher and friend. She possessed the often attempted but rarely mastered ability to excel in all of these facets of her life. She was able to put her heart into her family, friends and career without any one of these areas eclipsing another and was thus deeply cherished by those who had the opportunity to know her. Karen was driven to help others and strove to do something beneficial every day, which she largely accomplished even during her three year fight with ovarian cancer.

Karen was born on July 13, 1950 in Scottsburg, IN to Lannie and Anna Mae (Nice) Zink. After graduating from Eastern High School in 1968, Karen earned her Bachelor’s degree at Indiana State University where she met her husband of 52 years, Marvin Stout. Shortly after graduation, she returned to Washington County, Indiana, where she and Marvin resided for 50 years until her passing. Karen got her first teaching job at Austin Elementary School, where she remained for 36 years until she retired in 2008. During that time, Karen earned her Master’s degree from Indiana University. Karen was a member of Kansas Church of Christ and then Fort Hill Church of Christ until her passing.

In her retirement, Karen volunteered at the Washington County Food Bank, participated in Women’s Evening Study Club, and was always there to help care for the young children in her life, whether they were family or friends. Because of this, her gift as an educator extended far beyond her classroom.

Karen and Marvin have two children, Alexandra “Ali” (Daniel) Guess of New Albany, IN and Katrice “Katie” (Aaron) Morgan of Salem, IN, and three grandchildren, Scarlett Morgan, Beatrice Guess and Daniel “Tripp” Guess III.

Karen is also survived by three sisters, Glenda (Joe) Mahuron of Pensacola, FL, Lisa Zink of Salem, IN, and Missy (Tim) Weilbaker of Scottsburg, IN. She was preceded in death by her brother, Gary (Sue) Zink of Indialantic, FL as well as her parents. She was a loving aunt to Darren, Jessica, John, Miriah, Ben and Logan and great-aunt to Jocelyn, Sierra, Isaac, Niyah and Sylas.

Funeral services will be held at 11AM Thursday, December 21, Weathers Funeral Home, followed by a dinner at Kansas Church Fellowship Hall. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 20, from 4-8PM and Thursday from 10AM-time of service. Anyone who would like to attend services is invited to bring a photo or share a favorite memory of Karen. Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington County Food Bank.