Karen Imogene Keller

Karen Imogene (Peper) Keller peacefully entered heaven on Saturday, November 29th, at the age of 86 in West Des Moines, Iowa, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Karen was born on February 6, 1939, in Audubon, Iowa, to Jurgen and Esther (Theobald) Peper. The second youngest of eight children, she moved with her family to the Des Moines area around 1943. Karen graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in 1957.

In 1960, Karen married Larry Keller, and together they raised their three children: Kimberly, Timothy, and Randy. After high school, she began her career in banking, working on and off through the years as she balanced part-time teller work with raising her family. As her children grew older, Karen returned to banking full-time and received specialized training in IRAs. She completed her career with Principal Bank, retiring in 2007.

Karen cherished time spent with her family, especially vacations that included camping trips, amusement parks, and visits with relatives. She also enjoyed reading, sewing, and crocheting, filling her home and the lives of those she loved with her handmade creations.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Kim Augustin (Thom); her sons, Tim (Greta) and Randy (Dawn); and eight grandchildren: Andrea Augustin, Geoff Augustin, Andy Westbrook, Misty Brinlee, Lucas Publow, Jacob Keller, Logan Keller, and Jordan Keller. She also leaves behind three great-grandchildren:Shelby Westbrook, Haylee Brinlee Nash, and Hope Brinlee—and three great-great-grandchildren: Micheal Vargas, Atlas Nash, and Lillie Murray. Additional survivors include her brother, Bryce; sisters, Shirley Loux, Judy Cox, Janette Kinney, Patricia Bigham, and Sandra Penn (Roger); sister-in-law, Linda Jones; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Larry, and her sister Gladys.

During her final years, she received exceptional and compassionate care from the hospice-at-home staff at Wesley, for which her family is profoundly grateful.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2025 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Graveside services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to American Parkinson’s Disease Association.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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