Our beloved Karen D. Jones Chotkowski, born in Lake Charles, La., on Aug. 24, 1954, arrived to Joel (J.L.) and Maxine Jones, passed peaceably from this life during the night of Jan. 6, 2023. From age 7, she declared that she would attend the University of Arkansas following in her Dad’s footsteps when she saw his name inscribed in the sidewalk in front of Old Main. No family member doubted her resolute declaration. After completing 2 degrees (Biology and Civil Engineering), she married the man whom she noted as ‘the best listener’ she’s ever known: Henry Chotkowski. They moved to Washington D.C. for a dozen years, where she worked for the US Patent Office. But the calling and song of Arkansas continually resonated in her heart and in the fall of 1994 they returned finally to Fayetteville as ‘lifers’. Karen participated in multiple groups and guilds. She received awards for competitive bowling in Virginia and first place awards for quilting; she’s a skilled weaver, knitter, reader, art lover, and baker of breads. The following descriptive words of her life’s navigation are mostly understatements, but those that know her will recognize these qualities: exceedingly kind, generous, thoughtfulness, genuine caring of people and animals, deep listening, hilarious anecdotal commenter, fun-filled adventurer, creative thinking/ processing, and clearly intentional.
Karen is survived by her husband, Henry; her sister, Janet Lantrip (husband Keith) recently relocated to Fayetteville from Texas; brother, Tommy Jones, planning relocation to Fayetteville; and younger brother, Joel Jones (wife Maita) who relocated to Fayetteville in 2020 with their four children, Joel, Isaac, Aiden and Annabelle; her brothers-in-law, John Chotkowski (wife Jacqueline) of New York, and Bill Chotkowski (wife Anne) of Florida. Various nieces and nephews of 11 have spent their summer vacations with Karen and Henry. Her great-nieces and nephews number 44! They dwell in the various states of Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Avenue, Springdale, AR 72762. A gathering of friends and admirers of Karen is planned for the Mother’s Day annual CHOTKOWSKI PEONY GARDEN PARTY: Sunday, May 14, 2023, from 1-4 p.m. 16142 Pin Oak Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72704.
If you should wish to participate in this gathering event, please contact Harriet Neiman for details at 479-236-5628 or harrietneiman@gmail.com.
Online condolences may be made to www.memorialfhspringdale.com.