In Memory of Karen Kay Krayenhagen

Karen Kay Krayenhagen, age 78, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2017, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Rev. Kevin J. Freese will officiate; with Committal Services following in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 28, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Karen Kay Krayenhagen, the daughter of Milton and LaVon (Klocke) Winters, was born on June 7, 1939, in Carroll County, Iowa. She grew up in Schleswig, Iowa, attending the Schleswig public schools, graduating with the class of 1957. After high school, she attended a community college.

While attending the Schleswig Jr.-Sr. prom, she met the man whom she would eventually marry. On July 30, 1956, Karen married Kenneth Krayenhagen in Elk Point, SD. To this union, they were blessed with five sons Jeffrey, Gregory, Gerry, Michael and Jon. The family lived in the Odebolt, Denison and Ida Grove areas before finally settling in Battle Creek, Iowa. Her husband Kenneth passed away in 1994.

Karen was first and foremost a devoted mother and homemaker. She worked for Dr. Dressler, the Ida Grove Hospital and Home Health in Crawford County. She also worked as a receptionist at the Christensen Funeral Home in Battle Creek and her last employment was as a restaurant hostess in Ida Grove.

Karen was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek, Iowa. She served as a church Elder, was Sunday School superintendent, taught Bible School, was president of the Presbyterian Women and sang in the choir. She also volunteered to prepare Lions Club meals and worked the Harvest Dinner every November.

Karen was active in her community as well. She was a member of the Battle Creek Medical Services Auxiliary as well as a past officer. She served as a past president of the Battle Creek Women’s Club and participated in the card marathon every year.

Karen enjoyed square dancing and in 1986, the square dancing group she was a part of performed at the half time of a bicycling tournament that was featured on PBS.  She loved playing cards with her card club friends, especially pinochle. She also enjoyed cooking and baking.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons Jeffrey Krayenhagen of Frederick, Maryland, Gerry Krayenhagen of Plano, Texas, Michael Krayenhagen of Bonham, Texas and Jon Krayenhagen of Tecumseh, Nebraska; 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and brother Gary (Delores) Winters of Lansing, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents Milton and LaVon Winters; her husband Kenneth Krayenhagen; and son Gregory Krayenhagen.