Alma Karyn Douthat

Alma Karyn Douthat passed away on September 10, 2025. She was born on May 2, 1940, in Ottawa, Kansas, to parents Clarence and Helen (Hough) Holmes. She was raised alongside Marvin Holmes. She touched so many lives in so many ways.

Karyn graduated from Southwest Harrison H.S. in Bethany, Missouri, with the class of 1958. She studied at Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville. She married Loren Douthat in Des Moines, Iowa on August 22, 1960.

Loren’s military service had them living in many places, including California, Oregon, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, Florida, Ethiopia, Maryland, and Arizona. Karyn was a Cub Scout Den Mother in Ft. Huachuca, AZ.

They settled back in Ottawa, Karyn’s family home, with their three sons in 1973.

Karyn worked as a surgical nurse at Ransom Memorial Hospital and at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Where she made many lifelong friends.

Karyn loved sports. She was a cheerleader in college. She played recreational sports while living on military bases. She was an avid fan of KU athletics, the Chiefs, and the Royals. She enjoyed playing softball, volleyball, and tennis. She coached a girls’ softball team for a time with Ottawa Recreation.

Karyn was a member of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She also volunteered at Hope House for many years. Since Loren passed in 2020, Karyn had moved into Rock Creek of Ottawa, where she had friends, both old and new. Her dog, Bubba, was also very popular there.

She is survived by her three devoted sons, Aaron Douthat (Pei-Fen) of San Diego, California, Robert Douthat, and David Douthat (Xann), of Ottawa, Kansas, as well as three cherished grandchildren; Akilina (Seattle, Washington), Kenny and his fiance, Ellie Lutz (Ottawa), and Patrick (Wichita, Kansas).

A memorial service to honor Karyn will be held on September 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM, followed by visitation starting at 11:00 AM and concluding at 12:00 PM, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, located at 235 S Hickory St, Ottawa, Kansas. The community and all those whose lives were touched by Karyn are invited to celebrate her life and legacy.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Hope House in Ottawa, Kansas, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.

To share your memories of Karyn or to send a special condolence message to her family, please visit the guestbook below.

Services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Please click the livestream button to view the service.