Karen Frantz McElraft, age 81, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, after an 8-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Up until the end Karen maintained her grace, gentleness, and quiet appreciation of nature, love of family, and love for caregivers that became an extended family. A graveside service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Fairlawn Cemetery, 1123 East 6th Ave. Stillwater, Oklahoma. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.


She was a 1962 graduate of Ponca City High School, and went on to study at Oklahoma State University, where she met her husband, Harold, on a blind date. They celebrated 60 loving and supportive years of marriage in July 2025. They moved to Houston, Texas, in 1970, where they raised their two daughters, Pam Barber, and Christin Blanc. Karen put her sewing talents to use when the girls were growing up. She made beautiful clothing for them, herself, and even their Barbie's and dolls. Her gardening talents took root in Houston, with amazing rose beds and flower beds that she labored over until Yard of the Month was a common sign in their front yard.


In November of 1991, Harold took a job in St. Petersburg, Florida, and their adventures began. Karen's love of decorating, gardening, beaches, and wildlife began anew. Then in 1995, another adventure began in Fort Wayne, IN, and again in 1998, in Chatham, NJ, where they took root and resided for 21 years. Each city gave Karen and Harold a chance to experience a different climate, nature, and wildlife that they both enjoyed together. Karen made friends easily, and they enjoyed many new friendships along the way. Grandchildren started arriving in 1996 and were able to share their adventures when they lived in Indiana and New Jersey. Slip and slide on their backyard hill, trips to New York City to visit the American Girl Doll store, and Lego stores were a highlight over the years. Her wildlife visitors of deer and stories of her squirrels were common for her. Her calmness and acceptance drew them to her. She connected with her faith in God, through nature, gardening, and wildlife.


Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Ruth Frantz of Ponca City, OK.


Karen is survived by her husband, Harold McElraft; two daughters, Pam Barber and her husband Jim Barber of Fairview, TX. and Christin Blanc and her husband Chris Blanc, of Houston, TX. Karen was a proud grandmother to Ellie Barber of Dallas, TX, and Devon Barber of Plano, TX; siblings, Warren Frantz and his wife Beth, from Ponca City, OK. and June Hunt and her husband Kent, from Norman, OK; as well as many nieces, grand nephews, and grand niece.



In lieu of customary remembrances, the family asks that donations be made to Alzheimer's Disease Research at the BrightFocus Foundation, www.BrightFocus.org.