Karen Jean Wykle Peshel

Karen Jean Wykle Peshel, age 82 of State Center, passed away peacefully at Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown on April 7, 2025 with her daughter and family at her side.

Karen was born on Sunday on July 26, 1942 in the Dr. Woods Hospital on Main Street in State Center, Iowa.

Services for Karen will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2025 beginning at 3 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in State Center, Iowa. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 2-3 PM. Following the funeral services, a burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery, then everyone is welcome back to the church for a time of snacks and refreshments.

Karen was the daughter of Carroll & Berniece (Varland) Wykle. She was the oldest of 3 children. She has a brother Roger (Ginger) Wykle in Minnesota and sister Barb (Larry) Witte, who passed away in 1995. Karen graduated from State Center High School in 1961. She then graduated from Beauty School in Marshalltown in 1964. Karen worked at 2 Beauty Shops in Marshalltown, she then started to waitress, and worked at Hunters Cafe in Marshalltown.

Karen was married in August, 1966 to Darrell Peshel and they lived in Marshalltown. They had a daughter, Cindy Kay, on October 27, 1970. They were divorced in June 1974. After this, Karen went back to work, and during her working career, she worked at: Walgreens Restaurant, Country Kitchen and OJ's Diner in Marshalltown until she retired in July 2004. She then moved back to State Center to take care of her mother, Berniece Wykle.

Karen was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in State Center.

Karen enjoyed going to all of her daughter Cindy's sporting events throughout all her years. Things that she liked to do include: Dance and listening to local bands with her sister Barb or friends. She loved taking pictures of her family and of all Cindy's sporting events. She loved riding horses when she was younger, her parents had a farm with many horses. She enjoyed watching westerns and her favorite was Gunsmoke. Karen also enjoyed watching her daily soap opera, General Hospital. She loved spending time with family, especially the Sunday dinners at her parents. Karen loved spending time with her grandsons, Levi and Trevor Cowan, she enjoyed all the times spent attending their sporting events when they were in school. She enjoyed talking on the phone to her friend, Emily and her cousin Sue. Her favorite flower is the Sunflower, but also had a few others, including: Lilys, Tulips, Lilacs and Roses.

Karen will be missed dearly by her daughter Cindy (Robby) Wignall of Rhodes IA, her brother Roger (Ginger) Wykle of MN. She is also survived by her Grandkids Levi (Zoe) Cowan of Hawaii, and Trevor Cowan of Rhodes IA., step grandkids: Trevor Wignall of Rhodes IA and Riley (Tayor) Michael of Mount Veron, IA, step great grandkids: Lyla & Jagger, nephews: Jim (Niki) Witte of Rhodes IA, Scott Wykle of MN, Chris (Jenny) Wykle of MN, and also Cindy and Robby’s dog, Phoebe - who Karen grew fond of while living with them. She is survived by many cousins and friends as well.

She is preceded in death by her parents Carroll & Berniece Wykle, Ex-husband Darrell Peshel, sister; Barb Witte, a nephew Jeff Witte, brother-in-law Larry Witte, family friends; Richard Gardner and Beaver Glade.

Lovingly written by the family

Mitchell Family Funeral Home of Marshalltown has been entrusted with the care of Karen and her family. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.