Karen Deanne Watterson

Karen DeAnne Watterson was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandma, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She always put others before herself. She left this world on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, holding her husband's hand. Now God is holding her hand.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Cathedral of the Epiphany Parish, St. Boniface Catholic Church with Father Terry Roder as Celebrant. A private family burial will be at a later date. Visitation, with the family present, will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with a Vigil Service beginning at 7 p.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Karen was born March 7, 1956, to Kenneth and Katherine (Navrkal) Hoffman. She was raised on a farm in Westfield, Iowa. She graduated from Westfield High School in 1974. It was during her senior year of high school she met the love of her life, Randy. It was love at first sight for Randy but not so much for Karen. Randy won her over by riding his bike or walking 23 miles just to see her. Randy and Karen got married Aug. 23, 1975. They created a life in Sioux City, and to this union they had four children, Missy, Sara, Jodi, and Mike.

Karen had such a love for children she decided to share her love with other families and helped care for their children in her home. She ran a daycare where she cared for over 200 children over the span of 40 years.

Karen was a kind soul who cared a lot about others. She had a beautiful smile and the most contagious laugh. She loved her husband, children, and grandchildren so much. Karen loved planting flowers, stopping at all the garage sales she could find, dancing and singing songs for special occasions. Her most favorite thing of all was spoiling her sweet grandbabies and grandpups.

Karen is survived by her husband, Randy of 46 years; children, Melissa (Will) Hinkle of Urbandale, Iowa, Sara (Andrew) Morin of Urbandale, Jodi (Corey) Utech of Hawarden, Iowa, Michael (Alexandra Burrows) Watterson of Richmond, Va., and Ryan (Cerise) McKnight of Haslet, Texas; nine grandchildren, Dylan and Lincoln Christensen, Hanna Hinkle, Dawson and Piper Morin, Kelan and Eastyn Utech, Haley and Hunter McKnight; parents, Ken and Katherine Hoffman of Westfield; sister, Kathy (Randy) Solomon of Sioux City; brothers, Steve (Sheila) Hoffman of Westfield; Ron (Marcy) Hoffman of Westfield; very special aunt and uncle, Phyllis and Dave Hanson of Sioux City (Phyllis was like the mother-in-law she never had); sisters-in-law, Connie (Barry) Fiscus of Jackson, Neb., and Cheryl Watterson of Sergeant Bluff; and many nieces and nephews.

Karen was preceded in death by her grandparents, Frank and Julia Navrkal, and Ray and Marie Hoffman; father-in-law, Lee Watterson; mother-in-law, June Watterson; and brothers-in-law, Howard, Dennis, and Tony Watterson.

Pallbearers will be Michael Watterson, Ryan McKnight, Will Hinkle, Andrew Morin, Corey Utech, Steve Hoffman, Ron Hoffman, Randy Solomon, and Brad Ralph. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dylan and Lincoln Christensen, Hanna Hinkle, Dawson and Piper Morin, Kelan and Eastyn Utech, Haley and Hunter McKnight, and a very special uncle Davey Hanson.