Karen Annette DeSoto, 63 of Knox, IN, formerly of Portage, IN, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2026. She was born January 5, 1963, in Olathe, KS, to David and Sharon (Higgins) Stanley. Karen had worked at Radio Sports in Mishawaka where she was responsible for recruiting sponsors for their advertising and events. She later received her broker’s license and practiced as a Real Estate Broker, most recently in condo rentals in Daytona, Florida. Karen enjoyed living six months of the year with her husband in Port Orange, Florida. She also loved spending time with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Karen was a believer in Jesus Christ and a member of the Portage United Pentecostal Church. She will be remembered as a loving, caring, and generous woman, who will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.
On April 6, 2015, Karen married Joseph DeSoto, who survives, along with her mother, Sharon Stanley; daughters: Shanna Haack and Samantha Hendrix; grandchildren: Destinee and Aayan; great-grandchildren: Kaylen and Acelyn; and siblings: Tina, Kim, and David. She was preceded in death by her father, David Stanley.
A celebration of Karen’s life will be held at a later date.
GUESTBOOK
Karen DeSoto is my mother and it is with deep heartache and regret that she passed away while I'm still in the Sunshine State. My deepest wish is that she rest with Our Father. I will carry her spirit and loss with me; as well as a photo of her, my step-father Joseph and my niece in remembrance. -Samantha Hendrix
