Karen K. Lorenz

Karen Kay Lorenz, age 75, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021.

Karen was born October 5, 1946 in Des Moines, Iowa to Lloyd and Alice (Gray) Ashley. She was an East High School graduate, class of 1964. In 1968, Karen married Robert Lorenz and had three children, Teresa, Berta, and Lloyd. Karen worked for Bankers Life for 20 years. She then went into childcare and cared for many children, including her grandchildren. Karen enjoyed working at the Fair for Barksdale Cookies. She enjoyed traveling, the movies, and going out to eat with friends and family.

Karen’s family was her first priority and she loved being a mom and a grandma. She loved her friends like family and maintained many friendships she had since childhood. She enjoyed crafts, crocheting, sledding at the Capital, horseback riding, and family vacations.

As her children grew, Karen found herself coaching softball with her husband, Bob, for their daughter Teresa. Berta and Lloyd were involved in Camp Fire, so that took Karen to Boone to spend lots of time with them at camp. Karen loved vacations with Bob and Lloyd to Sturgis which was an annual occurrence until 2004. After the loss of her husband, life changed for Karen. Vacations became trips with Teresa, John, Johnny, and Jeff to Disney, Florida, and Colorado. And many adventures with Berta, Tammy, Mady and Lloyd.

In 2008 a kidney transplant couldn’t slow her down. She loved going to Adventureland with her grandkids, riding most of the rides, and watching baseball and softball games. Then in 2014, the one thing that would change her forever was the death of her son. Slowly Karen began to find joy in life again. Karen had started going dancing and to jam sessions with her friends. If there is a person who defined the term, “Living life to its fullest”, it was Karen. The world will be a little bit dimmer since she has gone.

Karen is survived by her daughters, Teresa Knox (John) and Berta Lorenz (Tammy); grandchildren, Johnny, Mady, and Jeff; and great granddaughter, Isla.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lorenz; son, Lloyd; and her parents, Alice and Lloyd Ashley, and stepfather Tiny.

There will be a celebration of life on April 10, 2022 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Highland Park Post 374 American Legion, 3712 2nd Avenue, Des Moines.

Print