09/21/2021
Frieda Mae (Harvey) Karr was born on February 5, 1934, in Knoxville, Iowa. She was the oldest of five children that were born to Wesley and Jessie (Heaberlin) Harvey.
Frieda attended the Knoxville schools. Frieda met Leland Meredith Karr while they were learning to dance together.
On June 30, 1950, they were united in marriage at the United Methodist Church in Knoxville. Their wedding ceremony was made special in that Frieda’s mother, Jessie, stood up with her and Leland’s sister, Ruth Karr, stood up with him.
Frieda and Leland had three wonderful children: Steven Lyn, Sheryl Rae and Gordon Allen. Frieda worked many years in various retail stores in Knoxville, namely at Harrison’s Store. She worked wherever she could walk to, early morning or late at night, because she never had a driver’s license. She retired as a cook from the Veterans Administration Child Care Center.
Frieda loved to bake and lemon meringue pie, as well as rhubarb pie, were some of her family’s favorites.
Frieda and Leland enjoyed dancing (jitterbug) from the time of their acquaintance, bowling, playing cards, camping, and visiting Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa. She collected cookbooks and porcelain dolls and appreciated visits from her Avon lady.
Frieda will be remembered for this as Leland will be remembered as a policeman with the Knoxville Police Department for 25 years. Frieda and Leland appreciated their Sunday dinners with their grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sporting activities.
They were privileged to share almost 67 years of life together while also being cared for at Accura Health Care in Knoxville.
Leland passed away there on March 16, 2017, at the age of 86 years and Frieda passed away there on September 21, 2021, at the age of 87 years.
She is survived by her three children and their families:
Steve Karr of Knoxville, Iowa
Scott and Bobbi Karr of Knoxville, Iowa
Makenzie, Ava Karr
Eric and Becca Karr of Monroe, Iowa
Morgan, Bryson Karr
(Justin Karr)
Sheryl Karr of Ankeny, Iowa
Christopher and Shannon Mart of Des Moines, Iowa
Josie Mart
Brenna Mart
Carey and Shawn Gilchrist of Knoxville, Iowa
Tyra Villalobos
Halle Gilchrist
Josh and Melissa Estabrook of West Des Moines, Iowa
Cameron Estabrook
Gordon and Diane Karr of Robinson, Texas
Kyle Karr of Robinson
Frieda leaves two brothers and their wives: Melvin and Theresa Harvey of Dubuque, Iowa, Bob and Bobbi Harvey of Renwick, Iowa; and sisters-in-law, Patricia (Marvin) Harvey of Pleasantville, Iowa, and Ruby (Herman) Karr of Knoxville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland, her grandson, Justin Karr; her parents, Wesley and Jessie Harvey, her brothers, Ben Harvey and Marvin “Sonny” Harvey; brothers-in-law: Lester Karr who was killed during World War II, Herman Karr, Merritt Karr, Robert Karr, and Orville Karr; and the following sisters-in-law: Grace Blagdon, Millie Jones, Lavonne Pearson, Lois Frederking, and Ruth Cooney.
Graveside Services will be held
Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 11:00 am
Graceland Cemetery, Knoxville, Iowa
Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville.
Memorial contributions may be designated for the activity fund at Accura Health Care of Knoxville.
Williams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.