Karen Sue (Christensen) Lee

Karen Sue (Christensen) Lee, 69, of Perry, Iowa, formerly of Manchester, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at Rowley Memorial Masonic Care Center in Perry. 

She was born on April 11, 1949, in West Union, the daughter of Emery and Jeanette (Miller) Christensen.  

She attended West Union Schools and graduated from North High School in 1967.

After high school, Karen served in the United States Air Force. Several of her assignments took her to Turkey and Taiwan. Karen was honorably discharged in 1972.  

On Dec. 3, 1977, Karen was united in marriage with Richard Lee. Two children, Daniel (Danny) and Crystal, were born to this union.  Although the couple later divorced, they continued to raise their children together.

Karen was a dedicated employee for Iowa Workforce Development for over 20 years.  

After Karen retired, she was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s and moved to Perry to be near her daughter in 2011.

Karen was first and foremost a devoted mother to her children, and she was proud of their accomplishments. 

Karen was also proud to have served her country in the armed forces. She spent many volunteer hours with the Support the Troops Group in Manchester and helped put together care packages for those serving in the military during the time her son was stationed in Iraq.

Karen is survived by her children, Danny (Mavis Chen) Lee of Webster City and Crystal (Tony) Andrews of Perry; two grandchildren, Jack and Emma Andrews; four sisters, Connie Hilsenbeck of Davenport, Nancy (Jim) Vavricka of Cedar Rapids, Karen Kay Henniges of Waverly, and Merri Bohnenkamp of Manchester; three brothers, Jim (Joyce) Christensen of Elk Run Heights, Mike Miller of Manchester, and Jeff Miller of Swea City; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Emory Christensen; her mother, Jeanette Miller Gibson; a nephew, Brian Hilsenbeck; a brother-in-law, Don Henniges; and special friend Jim Ridenour.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com. 

A memorial service was held Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa.

Inurnment with military rites took place at Oakland Cemetery, Manchester, Iowa.

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