08/25/2022
Visitation with the family present will be held on Tuesday evening, August 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home, Knoxville, Iowa. Burial will be made at the Breckenridge Cemetery, near Knoxville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Suncrest Hospice, 5959 Village View Dr. #100, West Des Moines, IA 50266.
Ruby Darlene Gilchrist was born on October 3, 1924, just outside of Knoxville, Iowa. She was the oldest of two children born to Lester Orrie and Blanche Mae (DeHeer) Gilchrist. Ruby attended Knoxville schools graduating with the class of 1942.
After graduation, Ruby moved to Des Moines, working as a teletype operator for Western Union.
In 1944, she was united in marriage to Herman Karr, while Herman was serving in the Navy. Ruby would travel to the East coast to meet Herman when his ship came back for repairs.
Following the war, Herman and Ruby moved to Knoxville and began to farm for the next five years.
In Matthew, they had their first child Edward and in 1949, Karen was born. After the children were born, Ruby went on to become a sewing machine operator at the Overall Factory in Knoxville and Pella. As the children grew up, the family would enjoy camping, boating, and fishing.
Ruby and Herman went out dancing and did so often. Towards the end of her life, Ruby enjoyed puzzles and playing cards.
On Thursday morning, August 25, 2022, Ruby passed away at Accura Health Care in Knoxville, at the advanced age of 97 years.
She is survived by her son Edward and his wife Margaret of Knoxville, IA; their children Richard Matthew Karr and Maggie Norgaard of Bondurant, IA, and John and Dawn Karr of Pella, IA; and their children, Atticus and Scarlett; her granddaughter Robin and Jim Daher of Missouri; her great-granddaughter Mary Jane Daher and Mary’s son Rowen; and 3 step grandkids.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Blanche Gilchrist; her daughter, Karen in 1975, as a result of a lightning strike; her husband, Herman Karr in 1989; and her brother, Herbert Gilchrist.