In loving memory of

Karen Jo Goodell
September 7, 1950 - December 26, 2019

KAREN GOODELL
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Karen Jo Goodell, 69, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019, at her home.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at Zion Lutheran Church. Reverend Steve Cauley will officiate. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2019, at the church. Memorials may be made to Muscatine Humane Society. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com


Karen was born September 7, 1950, in Clinton, the daughter of Lloyd Pirch and Margaret Swanson Pirch.

She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1975 with a degree in English and earned her Master of Library and Information Science from University of Iowa in 2001.

Among other jobs, she was a mail carrier in Muscatine and a college reference librarian at Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport. She was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church and enjoyed singing, bell choir, reading, cross-stitch, and her cats.

Those left to honor her memory include her two children, Erinne Goodell and husband, Kirk Paulsen, of Portland, Oregon, and Matt Goodell and wife, Andrea, and grandchildren, Lexi and Ian Goodell of Holland, Michigan; and two brothers, Jim Pirch of Rock Island, and Jerry Pirch of Clinton.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Tributes

Don Pirch wrote on Jan 7, 2020:

"Our sincere condolences to you and our family in your loss of my cousin Karen Jo.. Last I saw her was very long ago, but in the photos I can see her love trying to shine thru to us. She certainly did love her family, especially her grandchildren in the photos below. Based on her life story, she took on many challenges in serving others in several ways to earn her way in life, something.her family can be proud of and appreciate. Sincerely, Donald Elmer Pirch, PE, son of Elmer and Ruth Pirch"

Wendi Payne wrote on Jan 3, 2020:

"When I first met Karen she was one of the five people that interviewed me for a position at Palmer health science library. I worked with her for over five years and she was my supervisor for a short time. She is the most caring person and got along with everyone. She will be missed by many. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. Rest in peace Karen until we meet again your friend Wendi Payne. "