Karen Barbara Owen (Salzman) of Milton, Georgia passed away on September 14, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. She was 64 years old. She was a loving wife, a devoted mother, and a dear friend to countless people.

Karen was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 3, 1959, to Bob and Dorothy Salzman, and grew up in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. After graduating from Prospect High School, she attended Eastern Illinois University and then graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Karen married the love of her life, John Owen, in 1988. Together with their 3 children, Jenni, Andy, and Jack, they lived in Lake Zurich, Illinois, Overland Park, Kansas, Barrington, Illinois, and then moved to Milton, Georgia in 2008.

Wherever life brought them, she made their homes beautiful, inside and out. She had an impeccable interior decorating taste, her love of flowers fueled her passion for gardening, and her love for cooking resulted in many delicious meals that ended up in her "keeper" file that she shared with friends and family.

Karen and John enjoyed traveling and visiting many beautiful places worldwide. Lovers of country music, they particularly enjoyed their many trips to Nashville with friends where she accumulated an extensive collection of cowboy boots. She and her family also shared a love of sports; she was born a Cubs fan, then Kansas City Chiefs, and ultimately an Atlanta Braves fan upon moving to Georgia. With Jack and Andy attending the Universities of Georgia and Alabama many Saturdays were filled with SEC football and tailgating.

One of Karen's favorite sayings was "The Road to My Heart is Paved With Paw Prints". Chipper, Charlie, Gracie (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels), and Callie (Brittany) have all paved that road to her heart.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her devoted husband, John, their beloved children, Jenni, Andy, and Jack, her brother, Bob Salzman (Peggy Gartin), and her nieces and nephews Emily, Rob, and Carly Salzman.

The open house Celebration of Life for Karen will be held at 1150 Richmond Glen Circle, Milton GA 30004 starting at 1pm through the afternoon on Saturday, October 21st.

It is a football Saturday in the South and Karen would want you to come in your favorite team colors if you wish.

In lieu of flowers, her family would be grateful for donations made in Karen's name to the American Cancer Society ( https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialmedia&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BB%5D+-+American+Cancer+Society&utm_term=american%20cancer%20society&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0Muwtbm0gQMVAg-tBh0U9AKeEAAYASADEgLTSfD_BwE ). Please visit https://www.northsidechapel.com/obituaries/Karen-Owen-4/#!/TributeWall to share memories and leave condolences to the family.