Karen Virginia Hempen, 77, of Argyle, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at her home.
Karen was born on April 12, 1947, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Kenneth Earl and Arlene (Walker) Shutt. She graduated from Keokuk High School in 1965, and went on to attend Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. On August 27, 1966, she was united in marriage to Roger Charles Hempen in Keokuk, Iowa. He preceded her in death on September 13, 2023.
Karen was extremely patriotic and a political advocate for the Republican Party. She was an accomplished pianist, serving as lead pianist at her church at the young age of thirteen and continuing playing throughout her life. She was also family-oriented and loved her family passionately. Karen stayed active and enjoyed cycling, riding in RAGBRI in her forty’s.
Karen loved the Lord Jesus Christ. As a young girl, after hearing the truth of the gospel, God brought her to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. This was evidenced by the way she lived her life in obedience to God’s Word, walking in humble love for her Savior.
Karen left a lasting legacy that is evident still in her loved ones. Her desire above all would be that her family and friends would come to the saving knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him”.
Karen is survived by her son Kenny (Tracy) Hempen of Argyle; daughter, Tonya (Chuck) O’Neal of Hillsboro, Oregon; grandchildren: Courtney (Ethan) Wollbrink, Kenny (Carissa) Hempen, Jr., Jennifer (Kevin) Skarin, Josiah (Lena) Hempen, Luke Hempen, Abigail Hempen, Audrey Hempen and Lydia Hempen, Charlie (Presleigh) O’Neal, Jordanna (Kale) Kiaunis, Joshua O’Neal and Karen O’Neal; great-grandchildren: Henry, Kate, Mary and Amelia Wollbrink, Ruth, Evelyn and Roger Hempen, Julia, David, Andrew and Joshua Skarin, Samantha, Cora, Hazel and Carl O’Neal and Roger and Emma Kiaunis; her sister Janet (Vernon-deceased) Rosenau and her brother Doug Shutt.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roger Hempen and her sister Linda Ellison.
According to her wishes, a private family burial will be held at the family farm in Argyle, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to the family of Karen Hempen (In care of Kenny Hempen) for the great-grandchildren’s education fund.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.
Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.
