Kari Ann Sinkula, 56, passed away on April 5, 2024 after a courageous four year battle with inflammatory breast cancer.

Born in West Point, Nebraska, she is the daughter of Edmund and Karen Hugo. After completing high school, Kari enlisted in the Army Reserves as a Communication Specialist then began her education as a cosmetologist and hair stylist at the College of Hair Design in Lincoln, Nebraska.  While in the Army Reserves she met her husband Jerry. They married in 1989 and went on to have three beautiful children, Jake, Jess and Geneva. 

Throughout her life, Kari was an impactful educator, mentor and business owner. She  always valued hard work and creative thinking as a key to success. Colleague, acquaintance, friend or family all knew how Kari came alive behind the chair, ultimately making you feel confident and cared when she got to work. Her legacy lives on through all the fellow hairstylists she taught and inspired.

After moving to the Kansas City Northland, Jerry and Kari found it comforting to join Holy Family Parish community. She always remained strong in her faith throughout her four year battle with cancer. Her resiliency and strength made it possible for her to live to see all of her children fall in love, graduate, get new jobs and flourish,  all despite the advancement in her disease. She has set the ultimate example in union with her husband, Jerry, of what a loving family, spirituality and partnership is in this world. This was possible due to the incredible care team at KU Medical center.

Kari is survived by her loving family including: Jerold Sinkula, husband of 34 years; her children Jake Sinkula of Kansas City (Sarah Morris), Jess Sinkula of Kansas City (Paola Sinkula) and Geneva Sinkula of Austin, Texas (Mason Brown), her Corgi Annie and grand-dog Bella; her brother, Kurt Hugo and sister, Kristin Hugo Radford, her parents Edmund and Karen Hugo; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Her funeral service will be at Holy Family Parish of Kansas City on April 16th with Rosary and Visitation at 10:00 am and Funeral Mass from 11:00-12:00 pm followed by a luncheon. Kari’s internment will be at Saint Michael’s cemetery in West Point, Nebraska on April 18th at 3:30 pm followed by a meal at the Nielsen Center. A Celebration of Life will be held at Smokehouse BBQ in Kansas City on April 20th from 5:00-8:00pm.

Kari’s funeral mass will be live streamed at: https://www.holyfamily.com/funerals

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Houston Ground Angels and Angel Flights - Central who were able to fly and drive Kari and Jerry to many appointments at MD Anderson over the course of her illness.

Kari’s funeral mass will be live streamed at:https://www.holyfamily.com/funerals