After a long battle with cancer, Karen Ann Pitts went home to be with the Lord on March 26, 2024. Karen was born in Great Falls, Montana on April 7, 1952, the daughter of Don and Annabelle (Stanton) Pitts. Karen took up clarinet at a young age and played regularly until late last year. Her family moved to Minneapolis when she was 12. Karen was always an outstanding student, from high school (5th in a class of 800) through seminary (1st in class at age 70).
Karen graduated from St. Olaf College in 1974 with a degree in math. She earned a master’s in applied math from the University of North Carolina, where she met and married her husband, Thomas Camp, in 1975.
Karen and Tom moved to Hopewell, New Jersey where Karen worked as a statistician at RCA Labs for 25 years before retiring to homeschool their five children. In 2008, the family moved to Colorado Springs. Karen was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. Karen and Tom renewed their wedding vows on April 30, 2023.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Perie Pitts; and son, Alex Camp. In addition to her husband of 48 years, Karen is survived by her brother, John Pitts (Leah); four children: Christoper Camp, Angela Camp, Elizabeth Fugate (Robert) and Andrew Camp; daughter-in-law, Katie Camp; and five grandchildren: Oscar, Calvin, Apollo, Athena and Khaleesi.
Karen’s memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Cross Fellowship Church, 10915 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado. As per Karen’s wishes, the service will be followed by a reception with pizza for all.
Polly Keith Scotland
30 Mar 2024On behalf of the Edina High School Class of 1970, I send my most heartfelt sympathy at losing our amazing classmate Karen. I remember Karen as a “bandie.” As a cheerleader, I really appreciated the energy, pep, and enthusiasm those “bandies” provided at our school functions. My definition of success embodies all that Karen was. May she rest in peace and may God be with all of you as you celebration the life of our beloved classmate.
Bob & Linda Nissen
30 Mar 2024Karen was one amazing lady!
Her passion for sharing Jesus with all she came in contact with was who Karen was! Her passion for Biblical knowledge and Jesus was amazing, along with her memorization of Bible passages.
We began our journey with her about the time of her cancer diagnosis when we became a part of her and Tom’s Life group.
What an inspiration she was through these past years for us. We are so blessed to have her in our lives.
She has a very special place in heaven as she enters and has that special hug from Jesus and His words…. “well done Karen, your light has shown brightly to all for Me”!!!!
She will be missed greatly by all of us here, but what a great reward from Jesus timing to have her celebrate Easter with Him! So fitting for her!!🙏🏻🙏🏻
Bob & Linda Nissen🙏🏻🙏🏻
Amy Goyne
30 Mar 2024Karen you are loved and I will miss all the laughs and your advice you gave me when we were in choir together
Althea
30 Mar 2024Karen,
You were a talented musician, intelligent and courageous woman and compassionate friend. I bet the music in heaven is unbelievable. May your family have God’s comfort and peace that only He can provide. Thankful we will meet again someday.
Rita and Tony Frugé
31 Mar 2024We’re lifting your family in prayer. We’ll miss Karen and her sharing heart.
Tom Tallitsch
1 Apr 2024I have such great memories of Karen when she lived in Hopewell, NJ. I live close to her old house and think about her when I drive by. She was kind, funny, and thoughtful. I had the honor and privilege of teaching her children music privately and as part of the homeschool band. I remember her as being so generous and caring with her children. I was saddened to hear that she became ill and eventually passed. My heart goes out to Karen’s family and friends. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Mark Dimunation
1 Apr 2024Karin and I played clarinet together in the St Olaf Band, a bond friendship that doesn’t break. And over those years we developed a playful and wonderful rapport with each other. She and I just recently reconnected on Facebook and I was thrilled to discover her once once again. My condolences to her family and friends and to all of us that made music with her.
Steve Veteto
1 Apr 2024Karen was a serious, dedicated, and passionate Gateway Seminary, Rocky Mountain Campus student. Upon her graduation with a Masters in Divinity, she received The Broadman & Holman Seminarian Award given in recognition of overall excellence/achievement in both academics and ministry. She had a passion for learning, research, and languages, especially for biblical Koine Greek, where she excelled. I am so grateful that God brought Karen to Gateway and that I had the privilege to help her along in her journey to pursue God with all her heart.
Tom Camp
4 Apr 2024Karen was such a blessing in my life for almost 50 years, and I believe for every single life she touched. I joked with her that she was like Mary Poppins: practically perfect in every way. But it wasn’t entirely a joke, because that is what she was to me. I am so glad that Pastor Matt asked us to renew our vows for the first service, less than a year ago. When I saw Andrew escorting her down the aisle, I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was truly the woman of Proverbs 31. She and Alex are together again and someday I will join them. I know this will be because each of us put our faith in Jesus Christ.
Gail Underhill
7 Apr 2024I remember Karen in the Unshackled Life group at Black Forest church, as being a biblical scholar. She always seemed to have the answer. She and Tom loved each other so much, and they were such dedicated parents.
Karen excelled at everything she did.
Summer Salomonsen
8 Apr 2024Karen was a woman of conviction and clarity. Whatever she set her hands to, she did with excellence. She played her clarinet with beauty, she raised her children with focus, and she ministered to those around her with clear and kind words. I cherish a deep respect for Karen as an accomplished musician, a brilliant statistician, and a selfless mother and grandmother. But mostly I loved talking with her – because whenever you asked Karen a question – you knew that in reply – she would teach you something worth remembering.
Angela Unruh
8 Apr 2024Karen’s earthly birthday was yesterday, April 7. She would have been 72. “Seventy-two is a nice number,” she told me from her bed a few weeks ago, but she planned on seeing Jesus face-to-face before her birthday, and said so. Karen was both a mathematician and a mentor until the very end. Not only did she talk about some of her math research (along with a good dose of theology), but she talked about her mission. She wanted the good news of Jesus to continue from her life after she left. She was as adamant about this as we know Karen could be. She was still reminding her little granddaughter Athena to practice her Bible verses, and asking about church members until a few days before she went home. Today, April 8, 2024, the moon moved over the sun and obscured it for a brief time. The radiance of the sun shone around the orb of darkness. Though for a short time, the shadows grew long and the light was dimmed, the effects of the light continued. It reminded me of the truth Karen shared with everyone around her. Scripture says that though now we see through a glass darkly, then we shall see face to face (1 Cor. 13:12 KJV). If you knew Karen, you know that she wants you to experience that.
Kat Willcox
12 Apr 2024My husband and I had the distinct privilege and unique opportunity to meet and connect with Tom and Karen through our Cancer Support Group; Cadence of Hope. From our very first meeting Karen‘s incredible intelligence was evident and oh so clear! Watching her nimble fingers finding a precious Scripture with such speed and excitement. Excited to see what God would do in her last chapter.
It’s an interesting thing to meet someone while at the end of their life. The stories that are chosen to be shared, and to feel the weight of how it has been valued. The stories of love and heartbreak, and seeing God‘s hand through it all. The life lived between the dash… Watching Tom tenderly care for Karen’s every need… even perceived needs. So beautiful!!!
I shared an experience with Karen that I will hold dear. I went to visit her, at their home, when she was reaching the end of her earthly chapter. There were sights and sounds, and smells that are very similar when someone is in that position, but there were some also that were beautifully unique. The grandbabies!!! ♥️ Karen laid in her bed, that had been set up in their living room, while the beautiful young grandchildren were running all around with delight on their faces.. It was a beautiful scene, and yet one SO tender and SO full of life.
The sweet and precious young granddaughter, Athena, she shyly shared that she is a cubby at Awana. Even though at that point, we thought, Karen only had a matter of days, she had her precious granddaughter crawl up on her lap to do her Cubbies homework. It showed Karen’s utter dedication to sharing Jesus with those that she held so dear.
I tried to assist because Karen as she was clearly going through a lot. Here’s where the sweetest moment happened… I was flipping from the front of the book to get to the current lesson. A sweet smile curled on Karen’s face. She shared that she was actually teaching the book from the back. She wanted to be sure that the grandchildren had rooted in their hearts, some of the most important Bible verses before she left this earth! I pray that Athena cherishes that sweet book that is evidence of a life poured out for the gospel.
Karen will be tenderly missed. It’s a wild thing to share someone’s last Summer & Fall, last Christmas, last New Year’s, and then God brought her home for her 1st Easter! ♥️ I thank God for Karen’s life. Every day!
Michelle McMullen Girard
13 Apr 2024Karen was a music and faith mentor to me in my growing up years in Hopewell, NJ. We rang in the handbell choir together there traveling to festivals, she was first chair clarinet in the oldest community band in NJ and I played oboe, we sang in ensembles and choir, and she was always supportive of my playing (I was young then!). Her faith has always been something that inspired me from her service to Hopewell Presbyterian through the growth of her beautiful family. Her eldest was my ring bearer…I wouldn’t have met my husband all those years ago if not for Camp-Pitts. I wasn’t surprised to hear about her getting her MDiv – she was always brilliant, tho’ I laughed as she described preaching class. I was delighted when I understood she now lived only an hour from us in CO and was so glad to reconnect, see that beautiful family again, and be able to have gatherings when my family was in town visiting. Karen was lovely, kind, so compassionate, and had such an amazing musical talent. I adored her and was in awe as a child and young person, and am grateful for the time I got to spend with her reconnecting as an adult. Karen – I’ll see you when I come up to join the party, have your clarinet ready!!
Barbara Lynch
16 Apr 2024Tom and Karen, along with all 5 children, were our deacon family at one time when we were all attending First Baptist Church in Black Forest, CO. We have since moved back to NC, but I have had the joy and privilege of visiting with Karen when we came back for visits. Karen is truly a gifted person and used the many talents that God had given to her. She was always wanting to learn more from God’s Word and was a true worker for Him. She was always ministering to her children, their spouse and her grand-children. Her knowledge of Greek and Hebrew helped Larry through some lessons he was teaching in our Faith class, Unshackled. She has now gone on to her real home and is happier than ever. What a blessing she has been to all of us with her sweet, sweet spirit. We will temporarily miss her, but look forward to seeing her again. We love you Karen!
Anonymous
27 Apr 2024May the Trsnslation from the Greek lead you into Jesus presence. You are right at home
Judy and Bruce Bruinsma