"We pray that your family may remember joyful memories and that God in Heaven be with you all as you mourn your loss."
In loving memory of
Karen Newhope 01/12/2020
October 21, 1938 - January 12, 2020
Karen Boastick Meeks Newhope, 81, of Marshalltown, IA, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020, at Premier Estates Nursing Home of Toledo, IA, under the care of Hospice. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 15, 2020, at St. Patrick's Church, 708 W. Main St., Urbana, IL. Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Pesotum, IL. Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown. Arrangements have been entrusted to Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Karen was born on October 21, 1938, in Urbana, IL, to Lester and Evelyn (Kleiss) Boastick. She worked at the University of Illinois in the payroll department, CS Johnson, secretary at St. Patrick's Church, Kappa Kappa Gamma as house Mom in Albuquerque, NM, as well as Vintage N More Antique Shop. Karen was united in marriage to Thomas Meeks. They raised five children together: Cheri, Cyndi, Tommy, Scott, and Eric. She and Thomas later divorced. Karen moved to Albuquerque, NM, where she met and married Tony Duke. She had a passion for antiquing. Karen loved going to garage sales, auctions, and antique shops. She was known for her beautiful smile and her kind and compassionate spirit.
Karen is survived by four children: Cheri (Greg) Tingley, Cyndi (Bruce) Heimerich, Scott Meeks, Eric (Keri) Meeks; two stepchildren: Tony Duke Jr., Martin (Kellie) Duke; her sister, Janet (Myron) Barbee; 11 grandchildren: Michael, Brian, Dan, Brad, Ryan, Katie, Jozef, Jacob, Grace, Dustin, Lindsey; four step grandchildren: Shaughnessy, Reilly, Sean, Tim; four great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Lester; her mother, Evelyn; her son, Tommy; and her husband, Tony.
Tributes
"Well nobody had anymore fun than Karen and I growing up in Pesotum. Karen was always always my partner in crime. What a fun day it was when we took the red wagon from door to door and ask for old clothes. We made tons of trips to her garage and dumped them. Well it was fun until Evelyn found this huge pile of clothes in the garage. If we didn?t like what mom was fixing for supper we would go down to the tavern and Aunt Dora would cook for us. I remember Evelyn saying that they never made a dime in that tavern until Karen and I got married. Well I could go on and on but most important was the love we shared. I?m sure your reunion with all the relatives was wonderful and maybe when we meet again we can go for a ride in the little red wagon. "