Karen S. Anderson

Karen S. Anderson, 87, of Clear Lake, died Friday, Dec. 1, at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Rev. Harlan Seri officiating. Burial followed in Clear Lake Cemetery. 

Visitation was held from 4-6 p.m on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel. 

The daughter of Cecil and Mildred (Lilleskau) Griffith, Karen Sue was born April 13, 1936 in Eagle Grove, Iowa.  She attended and graduated from Eagle Grove High School among the class of 1954.  Following high school, she attended Eagle Grove Junior College for two years and then began her career in education as a first grade teacher in Eagle Grove. 

On Sept. 5, 1959 she was united in marriage to Richard G. Anderson and to this union two children were born, Laura and Mitch.  For many years the family lived in Eagle Grove before moving to Platteville, Wis. where they resided for five years.  In 1974 the family moved back to Iowa and settled in Clear Lake. 

Karen spent many years at the Clear Lake Library where she served as the librarian before accepting a position with Northern Trails AEA in Clear Lake.  She worked for the AEA for over 20 years before her retirement in 1998.

She was a faithful member of the First Congregational Church in Clear Lake and enjoyed reading, quilting, and gathering with family and friends. 

She is survived by her daughter, Laura (Vern) Toohey, Clear Lake; granddaughters, Ashley Phinney and Meagan Anderson; great-granddaughters, Cayla and Claire Phinney; and sister, Mary Meeken.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; and son, Mitch. 

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.