GRODE, Karen Mae (Wille) 1953-2013

GRODE, WILLE, RILEY, HARVEY, EASTMAN

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 3/17/2013 at 22:17:23

[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, February 24, 2013]

Karen Grode
October 10, 1953 - February 21, 2013

Karen Grode, 59, has gone to be with God. She was surrounded by her loving family as she achieved her eternal peace.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Ankeny Christian Church, 2506 SW Third Street, Ankeny, IA 50023. A visitation will be held 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26th, at Memorial Services of Iowa Funeral Home, 4208 N. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50021.

She was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandma, aunt and friend and no words can do her justice. Karen always put family first. She enjoyed vacationing with Ron, watching her grandchildren swim and play, shopping, chatting, laughing with Pat and Tara, and encouraging everyone in her life to become the best version of themselves possible. She was a big believer in possibilities; she loved a challenge and coached all of her people through theirs and hers with grace, compassion and love. Karen was an extraordinary woman, colleague and leader who had tremendous passion for the work she did as the Girl Scout CEO of NE Kansas and NW Missouri and her commitment will continue to inspire everyone in the Girl Scout family. She was creative and charismatic, a visionary as well as a team player, who enjoyed mentoring people and public speaking. Karen was an avid reader, cyclist – RAGBRAI, yeah!, chocolate lover and fashion consultant to many friends.

Cherishing their loving memories of Karen are husband Ron, children and families: son Pat Riley (Meg Bergstrom), daughter Tara (Todd) Harvey, their children Tait and Shae; Tanya (Dan) Smith, their children Cole, Emma, Landon, and Ella; Nikki (Matt) Woehrle, their child Ethan; mother, Florence Wille; sisters, Joyce (Mike) Eastman and Sue Wille; brother, Sam (Donna) Wille and countless family and friends. Greeting her in Heaven is, father, Ernest Wille.

Karen had many passions and the Girl Scouts tops the list. The family requests that gifts to honor Karen’s legacy of leadership in Girl Scouts and her passion in building girls of courage, confidence and character may be made to Girl Scouts of NE KS and NW MO, 8383 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64133

Ankeny Christian Church was a place of comfort and support for Karen and Ron throughout her illness. Gifts honoring Karen and supporting their church home may be sent to Ankeny Christian Church 2506 SW Third St. Ankeny, IA 50023.

Karen’s resolve to beat ovarian cancer was paramount. Gifts that would be designated to ovarian cancer research can be mailed directly to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

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People-Finders.ws shows her formerly of Waterloo and Hudson, IA
GRODE, KAREN MAE (Age 59), WATERLOO, IA, HUDSON, IA

Waterloo Daily Courier, Wednesday, October 01, 1969, lists her as a Junior class Student Council member at Denver, High School, Denver, IA.

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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