Karen Clark

Karen Sue Clark, age 82, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 3, 2024, in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family.

Karen was born December 19, 1941, in Mount Ayr, Iowa to Rex Huffman and Darlene (Dailey) Huffman. Her parents divorced and she was raised by her mother and maternal grandparents, Roy and Gertrude Dailey. In 1954, her mother married Charles Harvey.

She was baptized in the First Christian Church in Mt Ayr. She had a strong Christian faith. Karen and sister, Jokaye would sometimes sing at weddings and funerals. In her youth, Karen took piano lessons for years and became quite an accomplished pianist. When in her 20’s, Karen was a singer with a big-band music dance band that played across southern Iowa.

Karen was a dog lover. She would bring home stray dogs whenever she found them – every size - miniature Poodles to Dobermans. Many, many dogs followed her home.

After she graduated from Mt. Ayr High School, she started working for Dr. Duane Mitchell as an office nurse/medical assistant which lasted for 19 years. She was an office manager/receptionist in a Des Moines dental office for twenty years prior to her retirement in 2004.

In 1967 she married Kenneth Hebensperger. Years later, they adopted a baby girl they named Kemmie Raylene. They later divorced and Karen then met the love of her life, Mike Clark.

Mike and Karen married on June 16, 1984, and just celebrated their 40th anniversary in Des Moines where they lived. Karen was a dynamic home decorator for every season. Her personal touch truly made a house a home.

Before she met Mike, she did not have much interest in sports but she quickly became an avid fastpitch softball fan. Then came the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and KC Chiefs. She also liked traveling around the country, gospel music, children, playing cards, bowling, graham cracker pie, slot machines, and having family dinners on special occasions and holidays.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Charles Harvey, step-son Andrew Clark, brother-in-law Ronald Shields, and great niece Gracie Waske. She is survived by her husband Michael; daughter Kemmie Hebensperger (Joanne Genewick); step-children Dianna (Tom) Nash and Brian (Shari) Clark; sister Jokaye Shields; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her Shiba-Inu Molly G.

There will be a celebration of life gathering on Sunday August 18, at Maxies, 1311 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA. A memorial service will be from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.; food and drink from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport or to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

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