Karen Modica, 84, of Parsons passed away peacefully at 8:02 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Labette Health.
She was born on Dec. 19, 1940, in Labette to Marion W. and Frances F. (Bowen) Jones. Karen grew up in Labette City and graduated from Labette County High School in 1958.
On June 13, 1987, Karen married Joe Modica Jr. at her home in Parsons. They shared many happy years together before his passing on Aug. 30, 2001. She had previously been married to Robert E. Hinman in 1959 and to Joe Cabot in 1967; both marriages later ended in divorce.
Karen worked at Fred Ronald Manufacturing before joining The Flesh Co., where she remained until her retirement in 2003.
Karen enjoyed spending time with her family and treasured the company of her friends. She especially loved swimming at The CORE, reading, working puzzles, playing Mahjong on her iPad and watching western movies. A proud supporter of the University of Kansas basketball, she rarely missed a chance to cheer on her team. Throughout her life, she enjoyed horseback riding with Joe, traveling, playing cards, music in the park, fishing and watching her grandchildren’s sporting events, hobbies that brought her many happy memories.
Survivors include her son, Marty Hinman and his wife, Diane, of Vasser; daughters, Traci Westhoff and her husband, Bill, of Walnut, and Stacy Harper and her husband, Brendon, of Gardner; three bonus children, Pam Willis of Parsons, Buddy Modica of Parsons and Joe Modica III of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and brothers, Marvin Jones of Parsons and Nick Jones and his wife, Betty, of Nixa, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; brothers, Robert Jones, David Jones and John Jones; sisters, Marcia Reich and Jenny Collins; and her great-grandson, Brandt Hoch.
A private graveside service will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Labette Foundation for The Core, and these may be left with or mailed to Carson- Wall Funeral Home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.wallfuneralservices.com. Karen will be remembered for her warmth, her devotion to her family and the joy she brought to all who knew her. Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
