June 20, 1938 – March 24, 2017
Karen (Cain) Peters, 78, of Burlington, formerly of Rippey, Ft. Dodge, and Humboldt. Karen died Friday, March 24 at Great River Hospice in Burlington, IA. Karen was the daughter of Bruce William Cain and Bernice Louise States Cain, was delivered by her uncle on June 20, 1938 in Lake City, Iowa and died March 24, 2017 at the Great River Hospice House in Burlington, Iowa at the age of 78 years 9 months, 4 days.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Paul Burrow at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at the Rippey United Methodist Church, Rippey, Iowa. Karen’s casket bearers were “Her Grandchildren” Tyler Jensen, Colton Jensen, Joshua Peters, Neil Ericson, Nicholas Rhame, Jacob Peters, Shannon Van Horn, Ashley Jensen, Jessica Ericson and Abby Peters. Her Pianist was Marjorie Vannatta, accompanying the soloist, Brenda Roberts, who sang the hymns, How Great Thou Art, Precious Lord Take My Hand and The Lord’s Prayer. Burial was at the Rippey Cemetery Rippey, Iowa. Lunch was served at the Rippey United Methodist Church by the Church Ladies.
Karen grew up on her parents’ farm southwest of Rippey. She was an active student while attending Rippey Consolidated School before graduating High School in 1956. Karen was a wonderful friend to all during school and she was especially and forever cherished by her classmates. She had an exceptionally beautiful singing voice which was not injured from her cheerleading days! In addition to lending her vocal attributes to many small groups, choir, and solos, she played the alto saxophone in the band and small groups. She was pleased to be selected for Iowa Girls State, and was chosen “Miss Rippey” and “Miss Greene County”.
To say Karen was beautiful inside as well as outside is an understatement. Throughout her life she loved animals, thus the appropriate memorial selection. After graduation, Karen attended Morningside College in Sioux City for two years and received her teaching certificate.
She was united in marriage with Dan Peters in 1958 and they were blessed with six children: Kathy, David, Jane, Donna, Julie, and Doug. Karen was a very busy wife and mother, and yet always involved with her churches and communities. Her children appreciate the legacy she gave them to be leaders in their respective communities, remembering her involvement in 4-H and the Girls Scouts. She also loved being a part of the Bell Choir, playing at Church and at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. The family made their home in Sioux City for six years, then Ft. Dodge, Harcourt and Humboldt where she taught Junior High in the Humboldt Schools. She taught Special Education for ten years and then Reading, Literature, and 9th Grade Speech classes.
Karen was dedicated to completing her own education and received her BA Degree from Buena Vista at Storm Lake and then received her Master Degree in Special Education from Drake University in Des Moines. After retirement she enjoyed traveling and being with her children and grandchildren. Karen was a member of Rippey United Methodist Church, later attending the Methodist Church in other communities and for several years attending Covenant Church in Lanyon. She also enjoyed her memberships in the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Alpha Omega Sorority in Humboldt, Chautauqua Book Club, and community chorus and band, to name a few.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents and her father and mother-in-law Jake and Wilmuth Peters. Her memory will be ever in her family’s heart..children Kathy Jensen (George) of Waukee, IA; David (Shari) of Humboldt, IA; Jane Ericson (Ron) of Pueblo West, CO; Donna Peters of Lakewood, CO; Julie Georgiou of Denver, CO; and Doug Peters (Ann) of Burlington, IA; ten precious grandchildren; Tyler Jensen; Ashley Jensen; Colton Jensen; Shannon Van Horn (T.J.); Joshua Peters; Jessica Ericson; Neil Ericson; Nicholas Rhame; Abby Peters; and Jacob Peters; cousins, other relatives and many, many friends. Memorials are respectfully suggested to the Burlington Humane Society. And may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home Box 204 1417 2nd St, Perry, Iowa 50220.