Heck, Karen I. – 1952-2010

ALLSPACH, FITZGERALD, HECK, HENDERSHOTT, HICKS, HOUSLEY, MEYER, SIMBRO

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 11/15/2010 at 15:34:01

A visitation with family and friends of Karen I. Heck of Newton will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton, which has been entrusted with the arrangements. As an expression of sympathy, memorials are being designated in Karen’s name or for breast cancer awareness. A funeral service for Karen will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at the Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church in Newton.
Karen I. Heck, 58, the daughter of Harold D. and Arlene (Simbro) Meyer, was born Jan. 25, 1952, in Newton, Iowa. A lifelong resident of the Newton area, she graduated from the Newton Senior High School, Class of 1970.
At the age of 16, Karen was engaged to her true love, John W. Heck. On March 20, 1970, she and John were united in married at the Foursquare Church in Newton. To this union two children were born, Shelly and Todd.
Karen was employed by the Vernon Company in Newton, retiring in silk screening. She devoted her life to her husband, children and grandchildren, retiring early to become a full time grandma and daycare giver to her grandchildren. She enjoyed camping, playing golf, making crafts, especially the pink wreaths for breast cancer awareness, helping with Outdoors With Out Boundaries and camping at the Iowa Speedway. In the past, she was active with the Newton Reserve Police, for 13-plus years.
Karen died on Tuesday morning, Nov. 2, at the Iowa City Hospital and Clinics. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold; four brothers, Leroy, Harold Jr., Brian and Jeff; and a sister, Helen Meyer.
Those left to honor Karen’s memory include her husband John; her daughter, Shelly (Donny) Fitzgerald of Newton; her son, Todd (Heather) Heck of Altoona, Iowa; her 10 grandchildren, Kory, Emily, Grant and Anna, Mandy, Dilyn, Bailey, Jarod, Megen and Ashlynn; a young man who resided with Karen and John for several years, Chris Lane; Karen’s mother, Arlene (Bill) Hicks; sisters, Harriett (Gary) Allspach and Melinda (Mark) Housley, all of Newton, and Alta (Jim) Hendershott of Melbourne, Iowa; brothers, Arden (Sandy) Meyer and Randy (Diane) Meyer, all of Newton; a step-brother, Robbie Hicks of Marshalltown, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.pencefh.com.
Source: Newton Daily News; Wednesday, November 3, 2010