Karen R. Golay

Karen Rae Golay, 81, passed away on July 26th, 2023 at home in her sleep in Des Moines, Iowa.

Karen was born to Farrell and Sara Foster on March 24, 1942.

Karen enjoyed toiling over her gardening and landscaping to an immaculate end result. She was an avid traveler and loved sharing her vacations with close friends and family. A lifetime of hiking, biking, camping, and slightly too large campfires filled her adventurous side. Karen was fond of working on home renovations with her husband, Dave. She was an exceptionally supportive mother and grandmother, a loving wife of 49 years, and a devoted neighbor and friend. Her family always came first, and above all else, she enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren. Karen was loving, resilient, helpful, supportive, focused, kind, friendly, and compassionate.

Left to cherish her memory are her grandsons, Cole (Kristina) Swenson and Jamie Comstock; sisters, Sharen (Larry) Surber and Linda (Jim) Zircher; and a host of other loving family members and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, David Golay; daughter, Trisha Swenson; son, Brian Golay; grandson, Noah Swenson; parents, Farrell and Sara Foster; brother, Donald Foster; parents-in-law, Robert and Lorraine Golay; and other special family members.

A memorial visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Make-A-Wish or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in loving memory of Karen. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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