Karen Ann Keegan

Karen Ann Keegan passed away peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2024, surrounded by her family following a short illness at MercyOne Medical Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 4:00pm – 8:00pm at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel at 1801 Morningside Ave, with family present from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. A vigil will be held at 7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 11:00am at Church of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Karen was born on April 9, 1941, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Joseph and Dorothy (Vilim) Pleiss. She was the oldest of three children. Karen was raised in Omaha before moving to Sioux City in grade school, where she met her lifelong friend Marilynn (Wandersheid) Prescott. Karen attended Catholic schools and graduated from Heelan High School in 1959. Shortly before graduating, Karen went to East End grocery store and saw a very handsome young man, who became the love of her life. Bob and Karen were married on August 22, 1959, and just celebrated their 64^th wedding anniversary. 

Karen was a homemaker and cared greatly for her family. Karen’s home on Lorraine was the neighborhood hub on Friday mornings for hot, homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. The family relocated to the “House on the Hill” where the family continued to grow. 

Karen’s happiest years came with a move to an acreage five miles east of Bronson. They remained on this piece of heaven on earth for the next 40 years. Karen found joy in raising chickens and growing a large garden. She loved canning all the produce from her garden, especially green beans! Mom perfected her baking skills and made the best pies, cookies and heath candies. Around Halloween, she loved making caramel corn and her famous popcorn balls. Mom enjoyed baking so much that she sent baked goods to the LB bus drivers and teachers at school. Mom also found enjoyment in bowling, riding horses and her trips to the casino. 

She was known to her family and friends for her kind, loving heart, her endless supply of kleenex and her daily use of an apron. Her leaving has left us with a void that will only be filled with the loving memories that she created with us.

Karen is survived by her husband, Robert; her children, Kathy (Jon) Walker, Carol (Rick) Schoonover, Rob (Carrie) Keegan, Tom (Kathy) Keegan and Sarah (Brandon) Smith; 16 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Jan (Mike) Keegan; and lifelong best friend, Marilyn Prescott.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; brother, Joe Pleiss; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bob and Bernice Keegan; and great-grandchildren Charlie Walker and Cadyn Cullenward.

The family would like to express their thanks to Sunrise Retirement Community & MercyOne nurses and doctors, staff on 8^th, 6^th, and 5^th floor ICU. The care and compassion you showed our mother will never be forgotten.