Karen E. Smith 1943-2012

SMITH HEATON SORENSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/6/2012 at 14:23:55

Sioux City Journal
April 06, 2012

Karen E. Smith, 69, of Sioux City passed away Sunday, April 1, 2012, at her residence following a brief illness. Her loving daughter and two granddaughters were with her.

Services were held April 5 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Born on Feb. 12, 1943, in Newcastle, Neb., Karen was the daughter of Vern and Verna (Heaton) Sorenson. She moved to Sioux City with her family when she was a teenager. After getting married, Karen lived in Denver, Colo., Albuquerque, N.M., and North Carolina, until she returned to Sioux City with her four children, to be closer to her family.

Karen worked at Indian Hills Nursing Home for more than 30 years, up until her illness. She was very involved with the residents at the home and shared many hours with them. She was a member of Riverside Lutheran Church in Sioux City.

Karen was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt and especially loving mother and grandmother. She was an avid reader, but what she loved most of all was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She spent a lot of her time worrying about others and never herself. She is now with her family in heaven and has no more worries.

She loved animals and as a girl, was always bringing stray animals home. For a time, she raised registered shih tzu puppies and always had a litter of puppies running around.

Karen is survived by her sons, Bill (Theresa) Kerr of Burlington, N.C., Bob (Lynn) Kerr of LaGrange, Ky., and Brian (Brenda) Kerr of Landrum, S.C.; a daughter, Sandy (Jim) Stork of Hubbard, Neb. Karen was blessed with 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Judy Etchison of Vail, Ariz., Dianne (Ron) Fuchser of Emerson, Neb., and Jayne Moore and her friend, Tony Grigg of Sioux City; a brother, Bruce Sorenson of Tok, Alaska; a half sister, Vivian Leitel of Tucson, Ariz.; and a half brother, Bill (Lisa) Sorenson of Thornton, Colo.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her stepdad, Otto Jenson; an infant sister, Norma; and a brother-in-law, Wyland Etchison.