Karen Kay Chidester

Karen Kay Chidester, 74, passed away Friday, July 19, 2013, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. She was born on February 12, 1939, to Glenn and Beatrice Hammond in Waterloo, Iowa.

Karen's passion in life was spending time connecting with her family and many friends. She had the love of her family, and always had a kind word and a smile for everyone. Karen enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and spending time at the family cabin. She was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines, and retired from accounting after 18 years at Massey Ferguson.

Karen is survived by her husband, Gordon of 40 years; her five children, Mike (Lynn) Kellner of Boonville, MO, Debbie Van Horne (Bob) Pastorik of Des Moines, Mark (Sara) Kellner of Pineville, NC, Tony (Jolene) Kellner of Suwanee, GA, and Scott Chidester of Des Moines; sixteen grandchildren, Jonathan, Becci (Brad), Rachel (Steve), Monica (Patrick), Joe (Ellyn), Pat (Dana), Bonnie (Kevin), Thomas, Betsy, Anna (Tyler), Katie, A.J., David, Nathen, Ryan, and Jordan (Stacey); nine great-grandchildren, Collin, Alexander, Ian, Jonah, Alivia, Kaeden, Rylan, Liam, and Henry; and her three brothers Art (Mary) Hammond, Jack (Jan) Hammond, and Denny (Shirley) Hammond. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Larry Kellner, and a grandson.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July, 23, at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines. The memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July, 24, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice, the American Lung Association, or Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Des Moines.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print