Obituary of Karen Irene Mitts

Karen's funeral service will be livestreamed via the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home Facebook page. The live feed will begin shortly before the start time at 11:00 A.M.

You can begin the event by clicking the following link:   https://www.facebook.com/share/1Xmc1TYxDL/

Karen Irene Mitts, 88, of West Liberty, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Simpson Memorial Home.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 23, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. at the West Liberty United Methodist Church, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 A.M. Burial will take place at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in West Liberty. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Croix Hospice, Davenport, Iowa. 

Karen was born, a premature infant, weighing 3 lbs. 6 ½ oz., on April 11, 1936.  She was born in Dubuque, Iowa, to L.L. and Irene (Neno) Kiple. She graduated from Elgin High School in 1954. On September 1, 1957, Karen married her High School sweetheart, Norman Dean Mitts after dating five years.  

After High School Karen began working with Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, where she worked for seven years.  After Norm and Karen united in marriage, they relocated to Cedar Falls where Norm attended the Iowa State Teacher’s College and Karen continued working for Rath Packing Company.  After Norm’s graduation they moved to Durant for 8 years where Norm began his teaching/coaching career and Karen raised two daughters, Brenda and Rhonda.  They then moved to Somers for 3 years and Albia for one before settling in West Liberty in 1973.  Karen started a new career as an Executive Secretary for Norman and Martin Rich at Louis Rich Foods, later known as West Liberty Foods, retiring in 1997.

Karen was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church and a steadfast supporter of her husband’s coaching career, serving as chaperone, statistician and constant supporter. She enjoyed shopping with her daughters, baking, reading, crossword puzzles, playing bridge, planting flowers, attending Iowa Women’s Basketball games and taking part in all of her children and grandchildren’s activities.  She also loved hosting any celebration there was to get the family together.

Karen’s loving spirit lives on in her family: her husband, Norman, of West Liberty; two daughters, Brenda (Steve) Thurness of West Liberty and Rhonda (Rick) Regennitter of rural Atalissa; seven grandchildren: Luke, Codi, Rachel, Renee, Jordan, Riley, Breana and six great-grandchildren: Karsyn, Layla, Mya, Drake, Brooks, and Dawsyn.

She is also survived by her brother, Dr. David (Joanie) Kiple, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and her sister, Linda (Carl) Schulz, of Omaha, Nebraska. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, L.L. and Irene Kiple.