"Karen and her family lived next door for several years and our families were intertwined. I have such loving wonderful memories our our friendship. Karen was a wonderful wife, mother and friend. She will be truly missed. Thank you Karen for the memories. My deepest condolences to the family . "
In loving memory of
Karen Jensen
March 7, 1956 - May 5, 2022
Karen Jensen, 66, of Lake in the Hills, Illinois passed away Thursday, May 5, 2022 at home.
A visitation will be at Laufersweiler Funeral Home, Fort Dodge, Iowa from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday May 21, 2022 with a service immediately following visitation. Burial will be at a later date.
Karen is survived by her husband Lonnie, son Tyler (Jen) of Algonquin, Ill, daughter Kylie
(Keith) Miller of Woodstock, Ill., grandchildren Colin, Nora, Molly Jensen and Lochlan Miller,
brothers Bruce (Lesley Zaun) of Minneapolis, Mike (Helaine) of Fort Dodge, sisters Julie (Adolph) Kochendorfer and Jane (Brian) Yung both of Fort Dodge. She is also survived by brothers and sisters-in laws, nieces and nephews and exceptional friend Alicia (Ahmed) Shaikh.
She was preceded in death by her parents John "Jack" and Catherine (McDonald) Engler.
Karen was born March 7, 1956, in Fort Dodge Iowa, attended Sacred Heart Schools and graduated from Saint Edmond in 1974. She then attended La' James earning her cosmetology degree and working in salons around Fort Dodge. On May 28, 1977, she was united in marriage with Lonnie Jensen and they established their first home in Fort Dodge.
In 1981, Karen and Lonnie moved to Des Moines where Tyler and Kylie were born, and many friendships were made. In 1998, they moved to Keller, Texas and in 2008 moved to Lake in the Hills, Illinois making more friends and also where Jen, Colin, Nora, Molly, Keith and Lochlan grew the family. During the time in each of these cities, Karen was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother which were her true callings.
Karen loved anything that had to do with family, thoroughly enjoying gatherings with her children, grandchildren, her brothers and sisters, and Lonnie's family. She was happiest when she was with
the grandchildren and the center of attention making people laugh.
Karen will be deeply missed by her family and many friends and will always be remembered for her love of a good time and her laugh. Her passion and greatest blessings were her husband of 44 years Lonnie, her children, and grandchildren. She enjoyed life and positively touched the lives of all those that she interacted with.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Tributes
"Lonnie...time spent with you and Karen was always a period of pure joy in the telling of stories about our respective families and shared experiences. We will miss Karen greatly. God bless all of you. Peter and Alice Marsden. "
"We were so lucky to have friends, as well as, family to visit when we came to Ft Dodge every summer growing up. Karen and I are close in age and she was great fun to see each year ... even into our 20's! (Especially in our 20's!!!!) My nickname, Kye, is after her Mom ... I've always been so proud of that! I have always considered her a close friend even though we haven't been together for decades. Sounds like many, many people felt the same way. When I think of Karen I think of her smile, her laugh and her love for Lonnie (beautiful young love!) She always made me feel welcome and loved. What a gift! I am truly sorry for this great loss. Please know that many people you don't even know are hurting with you and for you. I will continue to pray for your family, especially for Lonnie. God Bless you all."
"Lonnie & Family, I am so sorry to learn about Karen. Praying you find comfort, peace & joy in your beautiful memories of her. "
"So sorry for your loss. You have my sympathy "
"When my little brother died literally overnight. Karen immediately drove me her cousin to be with my Dad. On one of the worst days of my life she was there. She was there in good times -which were many- and in bad times. I will miss her laugh and just miss her. What a loss. "
"Julie. Am so very sorry to read of your sisters passing. Will keep your sister n all in family in my prayers. Am just so sorry for you all. Judy Schumachet"