Karen Kay Kardell, age 88, passed away on Feb. 26, 2026.
Karen Kay Kauffman was born on January 15, 1938, in Carroll, Iowa, to Bill and Nettie Kauffman. She was raised in Audubon, Iowa, where she attended school and graduated from high school in 1956. On June 17, 1956, she married Ben Kardell, and together they raised four children.
Karen was devoted to her family and took great pride in caring for them. She enjoyed sewing, playing cards, and Mah Jong with all her buddies; she also loved singing in the church choirs at both Bethany Lutheran in Spencer, IA, and Broadway Chapel at Carriage Manor in Mesa, AZ.
In 1962, Karen and Ben purchased her father’s trucking business, where she served as the bookkeeper for many years. In 1973, they relocated to Spencer, Iowa, continuing their work in the trucking industry. While living in Spencer, Karen pursued her love of music by joining the Clef Club and remained actively involved at Bethany Lutheran Church.
Professionally, Karen worked for ten years at Northwest Federal Bank and later for three years as a finance manager at Don Pierson Ford. She and Ben retired in 1993 and spent their winters in Mesa, Arizona, at Carriage Manor Resort. Over the 32 years they wintered there, they made many long-lasting friendships. In 2003, they sold their home in Spencer and moved to Okoboji, Iowa, where they lived for part of each year. In 2008, they made Arizona their permanent residence.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Ben; both parents; and her sisters, Dorothy Schmidt and Charlene McLaughlin.
She is survived by her four children: Benna Lea (Curt) Schnell of Omaha, NE; Bruce (Gwen) Kardell of Spencer, IA; Brian (Ann) Kardell of Bettendorf, IA; and Brent (Reiko) Kardell of Pleasant Hill, CA. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Brady (Jenn) Schnell, Jaime (Josh) Schnell-Poore, Liz (Jake) Kluver, Bill (Katie) Kardell, Kody (Megan) Kardell, BJ (Kara) Kardell, Gabby (Shawn Barnett) Kardell, Michael (Jess Leno) Kardell, Steven (Gezelle) Kardell, Jeffrey (Katie) Kardell, Naomi Kardell, and Kalena Kardell; plus 18 cherished great-grandchildren.
Karen will be cremated and laid to rest in Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake, Iowa, later this summer in a private family service. Memorials may be made to Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church, 1204 L Avenue, Milford, Iowa 51331. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com.
