Karen Elizabeth Walker 1938-2011

WALKER MASON FUNK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/6/2011 at 19:47:59

Sioux City Journal
8 February 2011

MOVILLE, Iowa -- Karen "Liz" Walker, 72, of Moville died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at home peacefully, surrounded by family, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Moville, with the Rev. Mark J. Stoll officiating. Private family graveside services will be in Arlington Township Cemetery, Moville. Visitation with the family will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with a wake service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of McCulloch Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home in Moville.

Karen Elizabeth was born June 2, 1938, in Sioux City, the daughter of James E. and Edith (Mason) Funk. She graduated from Moville High School in 1956. On Jan. 19, 1957, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Loren Walker.

Karen most valued any time spent with her six children or getting the opportunity to watch them participate in sports and observe, or be a part of, each of their families or careers in some way. Outside of her family, she was a devout woman of faith and active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She went to Mass every day, taught catechism, was highly involved with the Ladies Guild, and spent many years cleaning the church and the rectory. Her most rewarding job was that of raising six kids, but after they had all grown and left the home, she found herself enjoying various other jobs. Over the past 20 years, she worked a number of years at her grandfather's tavern, the local grocery store, the women's boutique shop Carol's Corner, and the Catholic church. Karen also enjoyed working in her garden, lying out in the sun, cooking, getting the opportunity to get together with her four sisters, and reading novels. It was apparent to all that her one passion in life was her children, and they knew that they could always count on her thinking of them and sending up prayers daily for each of them. She will forever be remembered as a loving and caring mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Survivors include her six children: daughter, Sherri and husband, Jeff Gonczy of Apple Valley, Minn., son, Brad and wife, Amy of Sergeant Bluff, son, Mark of Sioux City, daughter, Angela of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., son, Scott and wife, Michelle of Grand Island, Neb., and her son, Christopher and wife, Megan of Omaha; eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Jamie, Abby, Spencer, Anna, Monroe, Beau, and Edee Lu; three great-grandchildren, Kyle John, Ethan, and Lauren; four sisters, Patricia and husband, Don Dooley of Des Moines, Vicky and husband, Wayne Kleinwolterink of Plymouth, Minn., Christy and and her husband,Tom Bierley of Des Moines, and Terri and husband, Patrick Weaver of Moville; three brothers-in-law and their wives, Ronald and Jan, Russ and Muriel, and Larry and Marcia Walker; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Loren; and parents, Gene and Edith.

The family prefers memorials be directed to Hospice of Siouxland.