Karen Branstetter Obituary

Karen Sue (Longhofer) Branstetter was made whole again in her passing into heaven on June 12, 2025. Karen was born in Shattuck, OK on December 15, 1944 to Dave and Treva Longhofer. Her early childhood years were spent in the rural areas near Arnett and Shattuck and then graduated from Arnett High School in 1963. Soon after graduation, she married the love of her life, Ronald Dean "PeeWee" Branstetter, on May 15, 1963 in Shattuck OK. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Tulsa OK, so PeeWee could attend welding school. PeeWee took jobs in Oklahoma City, OK and Pampa, TX. It was in Pampa, TX where Karen enrolled in beauty school and graduated as a licensed hairdresser. Pampa, TX is also where Karen and PeeWee welcomed their daughters, Teresa Lynn and LaDeana Gayle to their family. Later in March of 1972, Kristy Kalene was added to the fold and their family was complete. Karen and PeeWee moved their family back to Arnett in 1969 where Karen worked as a hairdresser before opening her own shop in 1976. She worked as a hairdresser till 2023, serving the Arnett community for over 55 years. In addition to her career as a hairdresser, Karen also worked for Newman Memorial Hospital and she spent over ten years with the Arnett Post Office. She was a longtime member of the Arnett Methodist Church. Karen worked hard at her jobs, but her family and faith is where she did her best work.
Whether you referred to her as Karen, Sue, Mama or Mom-mom, everyone that knew her loved her. Karen was well respected and appreciated by everyone in her workplace. Sue, as most of her family members referred to her, enjoyed playing cards at the lake, camping, fishing, games and maybe the occasional trip to the casino for a "therapy" session. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, a little bit of cooking and gardening. Mama or Mom-mom, as she was called by those closest to her, found her greatest joy in the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family was her highest priority and primary focus. "Forever more", "this is the last meal of the day", "Everything will be better in the morning", and a "girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do" were all her famous quotes. In August 2024, Karen suffered a massive stroke that made many of life tasks extremely difficult. Even through these hardships, she never complained and exhibited kindness, compassion, and understanding in the most trying time of her life. An easy smile, a kind word, and an encouraging compliment defined Karen Sue's character. We love you to the moon and back Mom-mom and you will be forever missed.
Karen was preceded in death by her father Dave Longhofer; mother and step-father Treva and Jim Creed; father and mother-in-law Clark and Agnes Branstetter; brother Joe Longhofer and wife Loretta; sister-in-laws Marlene Longhofer; and Darlene Branstetter; and step brother-in-law Kenny Barker.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, PeeWee Branstetter; daughters Teresa Harrelson and husband Brad of Wichita Falls, TX; LaDeana O'Neill and husband Ryan of Norman, OK; Kristy Brodersen and husband Bob of Norman, OK; grandchildren, Tyrel Harrelson, Tanya and Ben Rhodes, Braden and Erin Harrelson; Brittney and Soeren Buchheister, Sarah and Grant Deaver, Damon and Meg O'Neill; Trey Brodersen, and Brooke Brodersen; great grandchildren Baylee and Luke Rhodes, Nora and William Harrelson, and Liam Buchheister; brother Larry Longhofer of Shattuck, OK; brother-in-law Larry Branstetter of Arnett, OK; step-sister JoAnn Barker of Woodward, OK and a host of many dear cousins and their families and friends.
Karen loved this community because of the people surrounding her. She loved her home because of the beautiful country landscape and the life she built with PeeWee. She will forever be proud to call Arnett, Oklahoma her home.
Memorial donations may be made to the
Arnett Methodist Church - memo: Women's Group
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
P.O. Box 276
Vici, OK 73859.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of
Karen Sue (Longhofer) Branstetter, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Karen Sue (Longhofer) Branstetter, please click here to visit our sympathy store.