Karen Ruth Mullin 1943 - 2016

MULLIN, CHRYSLER, HAECKER

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/22/2016 at 22:00:13

Sioux City Journal
13 April 2016

SIOUX CITY | Karen Ruth Mullin, 72, of Davenport, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, died suddenly Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at her home.

Memorial services will be noon Saturday at Runge Mortuary in Davenport. Online tributes and condolences may be left at www.therungemortuaty.com.

Karen was born on July 15, 1943, in Davenport, to Lois and Ross Chrysler. After Ross' death, Lois' second husband, Walter Haecker, adopted Karen. She worked as an X-ray technician in Davenport for 25 years before receiving her bachelor's degree in computer science from Marycrest College. She moved to Dayton, Ohio, to work as a programmer for NCR Corporation. They transferred her to San Diego, Calif., in 1984. While there, she earned a master's degree in management information systems from West Coast University. Her passion for learning led her to the sociology department at the University of Cincinnati.

In January 1995, she co-published a sociology textbook with Lynn Barteck titled Enduring Issues in Sociology: Opposing Viewpoints. After finishing her Ph.D. in sociology, she taught at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall and later at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City. Karen started the consulting firm Paradoxx Enterprise in 1984, writing grant applications and doing program evaluations for non-profit organizations up until her death.

Karen enjoyed reading, sewing, refinishing furniture, and watching Star Trek. She idolized Leonard Nimoy and had an extensive collection of Elvis memorabilia. Over the years, she sang in several barbershop choruses, quartets, and church choirs. Those who knew her recognized that Karen had a passion for helping others in any capacity, and was versatile in her ability to solve any problem.

Survivors include her long-time friend, Lynn Barteck and her children, Lori (Dean) Thompson and her son, Rob (Jackie) Kirkpatrick; brother, Steven Ross Haecker of Davenport; her sister, Susan Stropes of Granger, Iowa; brother, Daniel (Sharon) Haeker of Monument, Colo.; her son, Todd Mullin of Vista, Calif.; daughter, Andrea (Anthony) Cornett of Yuma, Ariz.; and granddaughters, Megan Guisti of San Diego, and Ellen Guisti of Yuma.

Her mother, Lois Haecker, and her father, Walter Haecker, preceded Karen in death.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Karen's name to the Habitat for Humanity organizations in either Davenport or Sioux City.