03/15/2008
Helen Margurite Karr was born on November 27, 1915, in Gosport, Iowa on the family
farm. She was one of eight children born to Mary Margret Morrison and Charles Emerson
Powers. Helen grew up south of Knoxville in the Gosport area and graduated from
Knoxville High School in 1933.
She was united in marriage to Harold La Rue Karr
on June 13, 1934. To this union, three children were born. Harold and Helen spent
many years farming north of Knoxville. She raised the children and did the many
tasks of a rural farm wife. Harold and Helen loved to fish. They traveled to Florida
and Canada as well as fishing locally.
Helen still holds a family and resort record
for snagging a 25-pound, 4-foot northern in Canada. Try as he might, Harold could
never top Helen’s catch. Helen was a dear friend of Bessie Spaur and encouraged
her with many gardening ventures. Helen spent many hours especially in later years
playing cards. She was almost unbeatable in Progression and Whisk. Helen also enjoyed
crafts. She created quilts for the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Helen also crocheted many of the family afghans. Helen and Harold spent winters
in Florida. Helen was a member of the St. James City Hobby Club and won several
awards for her quilts.
After Harold’s death in 1979, Helen continued to winter in
Florida and returned to Iowa in the summers. She was a very independent woman who
cared for her home, yard, etc. after she was widowed. Eventually, Helen permanently
moved to Florida for several years. She returned to her home in Knoxville last summer.
Helen was a member of the Punta Gordo, Florida Presbyterian Church and Christ’s
Church in Knoxville. Family and church were the center of Helen’s life. She loved
spending time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen M. Karr passed
away on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital at the
age of 92 years, 3 months, and 18 days.
Preceding her in death were her parents,
husband, four sisters, and three brothers. Those left to mourn her passing are one
daughter and her husband, Kay and Mick West of Livingston, MT; two sons and their
wives, Paul and Betty Jo Karr of Knoxville and Jim and Jane Karr of Davenport; nine
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service was held on March 19, 2008, at Williams Funeral Home
with Pastor Jim Mead officiating. The interment was in Ruckman Cemetery, rural Marion
County, Iowa. Casket bearers were Dwayne Betterton, Kay Harsin, Ronald Karr, Gary
Kingery, Richard Kingery, and Wayne Powers. Musical selections were “Amazing Grace" and “Precious Memories”. Jim Kidder was the vocalist. Darlene Mooberry was the organist.
Memorials in memory of Mrs. Karr may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa or the Bessie
Spaur Butterfly Garden. Condolence messages may be sent to the Karr family at www.williamsfhknoxville.com.