Karla Sue Bean

A Celebration of Life service for Karla Sue Bean, 65, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2024, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Karla passed away December 7, 2023 at her home. She was born the youngest of four daughters to James Robert (Bobby) and Dorene Virginia Carson Bean on July 31, 1958 in Richmond, California.  Karla graduated from Richmond’s John F. Kennedy High School in 1976 and received her B.S in Business with a minor in Public Relations at California State University, Chico. She was an account executive in display advertising at West County Times newspaper in Pinole, California and later worked at Longs Drug Store in Walnut Creek, California before moving to Missouri. Karla retired in 2021 from her position as the Admissions Coordinator and Academic Advisor for the Missouri State University – West Plains nursing program. She enjoyed working with the students and often said it was the best job she ever had.  Karla lived a compassionate life, and cared deeply for people and animals, especially those in need. Her spirituality guided her toward openness, goodwill, and acceptance toward all. She often said, “God loves the whole world – no exceptions” and believed in making the world a better place for the people that will inhabit our planet after us. She supported the local arts, was a staple at the farmer’s market, and volunteered for causes she was passionate about. She loved baseball and was an avid fan the Oakland A’s, her home town team. Karla loved her friends and family, evidenced by her many scrapbooks, photos, and memories made by a life well-lived.

She is survived by two sisters, Connie Troutman of Richmond, California and Kathy Trudeau of Rogers, Arkansas; one niece, Jennifer Boettcher, her spouse, Tom; two great-nieces, Cassie and Sydney Boettcher, of Wakefield, Massachusetts; and one nephew, Daniel Troutman of Richmond, California.

Her parents, one sister, Zoe Ann Bean of Richmond, California; and two brothers-in-law, Marty Troutman of Richmond, California and Steve Trudeau of Rogers, Arkansas, preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stuart Union Cemetery or West Plains Regional Animal Shelter and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.