Karen Louise MENDELL

MENDELL, FRIEDEN, GUNZENHAUSER, DEKOTER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/16/2014 at 14:56:34

December 28, 1938 --- October 24, 2014

Karen Louise Mendell, age 75, formerly of Humeston, Iowa, the daughter of Kermit Nicholson and Lydia Ruth (Frieden) Mendell, was born December 28, 1938, in Iowa Falls, Iowa. She died at the Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center in Chariton, Iowa on Friday, October 24, 2014. Karen grew up near Popejoy, Iowa and attended Popejoy Independent Schools. In 1951, the family moved to Rockwell, Iowa and she graduated from Rockwell Consolidated Schools in 1958. Language skills were hard for Karen, but she excelled in bookkeeping. She also had a great memory. She accomplished a great deal, in spite of her handicap. After training in Des Moines, Iowa, Karen's Kraft Korner, was set up on the farm in which Karen sold ceramic items, sewn aprons, stuffed teddy bears, and woven rugs she had made. In 1973, Karen and her mother moved to Humeston where Karen's Kraft Korner continued in the basement. They lived together until her mother suffered a stroke in 1981, and moved into a nursing home. Karen maintained her own household until she suffered a stroke in 2008. She then resided in the Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center until her death. The activities Karen enjoyed were attending church, 4-H, doing crafts, bird watching, Yorel Study Club, and United Methodist Women.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Kermit in 1964, and Lydia in 1984. Survivors include her sister, Karla Gunzenhauser and husband Paul of Humeston, Iowa; niece, Kathy Dekoter and husband Jeff of Chatham, Ontario, Canada; nephew, Robert Gunzenhauser and wife Jacallyn of Humeston; seven great nieces and nephews; many cousins; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Humeston Christian United Methodist Church in Humeston, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 3, 2014, with Pastor Dale O'Connell officiating. Burial will be in the Humeston Cemetery, Humeston, Iowa. Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon, Iowa was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Humeston Library or the Humeston United Methodist Women in Karen's memory.

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