Popular entertainer and radio host remembered

Branson mourns the loss of a beloved member of the community.

Karen Berka was well known in the area, as a talented entertainer, a champion of Branson entertainers and a woman who was very strong in her faith in God.

Berka, a gifted singer and songwriter, began her Branson musical career when she auditioned for Bill Dailey, then owner of the Wildwood Flower and a popular show producer. Berka credited Dailey for giving her a foothold in Branson. She would go on to perform with Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass, Shoji Tabuchi, the Branson Gospel Hour and as one of the Fabulous Elvettes for the Aaron Patrick show, among other shows and venues.  

Berka would later create and host Branson Radio Live, a popular broadcast where she interviewed countless entertainers, showcasing their talents and digging deep to learn more about them. Branson Radio Live encompassed two shows—one gospel and the other secular—and was a mainstay in the music mecca for many years.

No matter where she was performing or what she was doing, Karen always boldly professed her faith in God. It was that deeply-rooted faith that sustained her as a single mother with four children, led her to Branson, and stayed with her through her hard-fought battle with cancer over the past four years.

"Karen was a great woman of faith," said Branson's Bev Eugenio. "I met Karen 20 years ago when I moved to Branson. We became connected quickly. I had been on radio in St. Louis and she quickly put me to work connecting with the entertainers and booking them on her show.  We spent a lot of time meeting at her favorite place, Bob Evans, with her sharing her visions and dreams for her live radio show. I will always be thankful for the opportunities I was given by Karen.  She was a visionary and a go-getter. She never gave up. Her big smile and personality could persuade you to dream the dream with her. I will miss our talks and that presence. I know she is in heaven with Jesus and talking to everyone."

Entertainer Cindi Barr Barone shared. "Karen was like a mentor to me when I first moved to Branson. I got my first jobs because she recommended and helped me. We worked several gigs together and did a gospel album together as well."

Branson headliner Doug Gabriel noted, "I have known Karen since I was a teenager back in Iowa. Karen ran the Altoona Opry where my band New Relations played when we were just getting started. Karen was always so supportive of me and my music and kept that support for many years. Years later, Karen had Branson Radio Live and interviewed me numerous times. She made me feel special and I admired her not only for her amazing talent but for the person she was.  She loved the Lord Jesus and served him her entire life.  She is now walking those streets of gold in heaven, and I look forward to seeing her again in heaven."

Said comedic entertainer Terry Wayne Sanders, "The most remarkable thing about Karen was she was always the same. Her heart was so beautiful and loving to every single person. She was selfless. Even during her valiant fight with cancer, she was still so concerned about everyone around her. Karen and I worked on several projects together and it was always exciting and fun. I can still hear her infectious laughter. She was amazing at everything she did. She was possibly the most perfect interviewer I've ever known. Her charming and lovely voice, her knowledge and style and how she conducted herself and her interviews. I'll never forget one interview where she had an older star from the MGM era here in Branson. We were all excited because he truly was a mega star in his heyday. It was truly disheartening to find out that he was not a very nice man. But, let me tell you what, Karen handled him so well and turned the situation around with her charm, her wit and the ability to politely put this man in his place without him even realizing it! Her legacy will live on because of her faith and how she led by example and everything she did! Heaven has gained a true angel."

Funeral services for Karen Berka will be Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. at the God and Country Theater in Branson. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Greenlawn Funeral Home.