Karen Minser

Karen Rae Minser, 70, of Marshalltown, passed away on Friday, November 25, 2022 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa.

Cremation rites have been accorded and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later time. Memorials may be directed to the family. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Karen and her family.

Karen Rae Drennon was born on April 16, 1952 in Topeka, Kansas to Delbert and Marilyn (Reiser) Drennon. She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1972. On August 1, 1973, Karen was united in marriage to Richard Minser at the Salvation Army in Marshalltown. Karen was retired from the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. She had worked in central supply, housekeeping and nurse’s aide. Karen enjoyed scrap booking, crafts (making all types of holiday wreaths), loved making trips to Appleberry Farm, farmers markets and the wineries. She enjoyed cooking from scratch and using all fresh ingredients. Karen’s grandchildren will miss her “made from scratch” pumpkin pie. Karen was a “rock star” wife, mom, grandma and friend. She would give the shirt off her back to help someone, and never would judge anyone. Karen had a contagious smile and her grandchildren were the apple of her eye. Her son, Sean, will always be grateful for the time that Karen saved his life while he was choking on a rice crispy treat at Bonanza when he was 12 years old. Karen was always there to help and support her family and friends.

Karen is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard. Children: Sean (Melissa Long) Minser of St Cloud, Minnesota and Marilyn (Martin) Sturtz of Marshalltown. Grandchildren: Jaren Minser, Jolene (Jonah) Teixeira, Makayla Reynolds, Michael (Shania Martin) Sturtz, Kane Jackson-Minser, Madeline Reynolds, Trevor Martin, James Hatton and Elli Martin. Siblings: Carmen (Jim) Zednichek of Marshalltown, George (Lydia) Drennon of South Carolina, Paul (Gina) Drennon of Richmond, Virginia, David (Ken Bierbrodt) Bierbrodt-Reiser of Mason City, Robin (William) Saling of Ames and Miriam Williams of Fort Dodge along with many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Marilyn; step father, Bill Reiser; siblings: Charles Ray Drennon and Raymond Drennon; uncle, Doug Poole and sister-in-law, Evelyn Reiser.