Hometown: Lebanon, Mo.
Family: Husband Randy Neasby
In Town: Karen is the executive director at Mercy Health Foundation, overseeing operations in Lebanon, Rolla and Mountain View. She also works closely with the Auxiliary program, the hospital volunteers, at Mercy Hospital in Lebanon.
“The Mercy Health Foundation garners support from the community to raise funds in support of Mercy and Mercy’s patients. We raise funds to make things possible within the Mercy system, rather than relying completely on capital support.
Karen grew up in Lebanon, graduating from Lebanon High School and Missouri State University but worked in Branson and Kansas City before returning to Lebanon in 2005. They are members of Heritage Baptist Church.
In the Country: “I never even touched a cow until four years ago,” Karen admitted with a laugh but today she is actively involved in helping with multiple aspects of the operation of the Neasby-Sapp Farm.
Randy and his sister, Carol Sapp bought land and purchased their first Black Hereford cattle four years ago. Karen was not from a farming background.
“My parents, Ed and Carmen Simpson, both worked at Bennett Spring,” Karen said.
Randy and Carol have 126 acres with approximately 30 head of Black Hereford cattle.
“We never imagined how docile these animals would be,” Karen added. “In addition to handling the social media for the farm’s Facebook page, I help anywhere I can. I’ve learned to feed and brush down ‘my girls’ as I think of them now. It’s all new and wonderful but these cows are calm, gentle animals. I really think they have no idea that they are cows.”
“It’s been a wonderful experience being back in Lebanon and being able to give back to the community where I grew up.”
