Karen Elaine (O'Brien) Recker

Karen Elaine Recker, 81, of Lamont, Iowa, died peacefully, with family at her side, at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home in Strawberry Point, Iowa, on Sunday, January 19, 2025.

Karen Elaine O’Brien was born September 20,1943, at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein, Iowa. She was the second born of John Michael and Kathryn Julia (Farmer) O’Brien’s four daughters. Karen was raised on the century family farm and was a 1962 graduate of Strawberry Point High School.

At the age of 15 years old, Karen met Jerry at the Strawberry Point Roller Skating Rink. During their courtship, they enjoyed dancing at Lakeside Ballroom and spending time with family and friends. They were married on September 28, 1963, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga, Iowa. They were blessed with five children. Karen was a true farmwife holding an important role on the family farm.

Karen had a passion for playing cards and was an active member of her neighborhood card club. She cherished traveling internationally, spending winters in Florida, and farming alongside her beloved Jerry. Above all, she took immense pride in her children. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, Jerry and Karen treated their kids, spouses, and grandchildren to a Disney Cruise. Karen also enjoyed entering sweepstakes and writing contests as a fun hobby.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Jerry; four children, Kathy (Troy) Miller of Chaska, Minnesota, Tim (Kristy) Recker of Aurora, Iowa, Connie (Mike) Euans of Calmar, Iowa, and Lisa (Josh) Lewison of London, UK; 10 grandchildren, Kaylee (Miguel) Flores, Kiera (J.D.) Lane, Cole Beevers, Ellie Miller, Reese, Luke, and Owen Recker, Jerrett and Kale Euans, and Zachary Lewison; one great-grandson; two sisters, Mary Kay (Leslie Pritchard) O’Brien-Pritchard and Helen Harford Weber; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and many beloved extended family members and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by a son, Jeff Recker (July 11, 1979); son-in-law, Wally Beevers (November 20, 2009); her sister, Maureen Bergan; parents; her in-laws; and several other family members.

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