Karen Elise Mckinley

Karen Elise (Fjeldsted) McKinley passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 21, 2024. She was born on February 27, 1958 in Hollywood, California to Ann Capstick Atkerson (1933-2022) and Norman Benge Fjeldsted (1925-2020). She is survived by her husband of over 40 years, “Scott” (Harry) McKinley, by her Fjeldsted siblings John, Paul, Matt, and Christa, by her children Hannah, Ian, Andrew, Daniel, Joseph, and Rachel, and by seven grandchildren.

Karen had an active, inquisitive mind, a passion for knowledge and learning, a love for adventure and travel, and a deep feeling of compassion and love for everyone around her. She was the ringleader among her siblings and at school she was always devising new activities and games and jokes. From a very early age she knew she wanted to travel internationally to experience and understand the world and its various peoples and cultures, which led her to completing her BA degree in International Relations at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Following that, she served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hong Kong, where she met Scott. After marrying Scott in 1982 and getting her MBA with an emphasis in international business from Brigham Young University, they moved to New York City, where Karen worked for a major US bank in foreign exchange trading. From there, life took them to London, back to Hong Kong (twice), Bangkok, New Jersey, Tokyo, Singapore (twice), Salt Lake City, Utah, Severna Park, Maryland, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), San Clemente, California, Seattle, Washington, and ultimately to coastal South Carolina.

Even while expending Herculean amounts of time and energy raising six children and moving every few years, she always dedicated time to other interests and pursuits. In addition to her BA and MBA degrees, Karen went back to school to obtain both masters and doctoral degrees in education.  She spent significant time volunteering in her church community at all levels, from teaching children in Sunday School to running women’s charitable organizations, to providing a ready meal and mentorship to young adults around the world. She was constantly on the lookout for business ideas, which led to her running a successful business exporting watercolor paintings from rural China for several years while living in Singapore.  Later, Karen taught special needs middle school students in both Seattle, Washington and Beaufort, South Carolina at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy.  Her love and support for her students was exemplary and filled her with great joy along with forming a deep bond with many colleagues and administrators she worked with.  Most recently Karen realized a life-long dream to open a home decor store, Haus Elise European Antiques, in the community of Habersham (Beaufort), South Carolina.  Family, friends, and her church community rallied around her during her final months to open and launch the store.

Her funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:

Date & Time: August 1, 2024 (Thursday) at 11am EST

Address:  703 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort, SC  29906

Zoom Link for Funeral Service: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84211172884?pwd=ObaDxeTO8T7VkPYW3QndCTqGftE6by.1 , passcode 282552 We will also hold an online (live) memorial service where all are welcome to join to share their memories of Karen. Date & Time:  July 31, 2024 (Wednesday) at 7pm EST

Zoom Link for Memorial Service:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81894319816?pwd=GQsPbEmh01ckLgZyobFUeutcGht2eU.1 , passcode 806161

In lieu of flowers, Karen’s family has requested that any donations go in her honor toward the installation of a fountain in Habersham, South Carolina that will be a remembrance of her life and contributions.  The link is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-build-karens-memorial-fountain?qid=43549d6d476c77b7f986cfcb0620d92f