Karen K. Gaskill

Karen Kay McGowan Gaskill was born on February 18, 1944 in Alta, Iowa to Urany B. and Elizabeth (Gerjets) McGowan. Karen was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church of Alta. She attended Alta Consolidated Grade School and graduated from Alta High School in 1962.

Karen was united in marriage to Russell Gaskill on October 28, 1962 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children: Rhonda, Jeff and Kari. Karen was a lifelong resident of Alta except for five years early in their marriage when they lived in Aurelia and Cherokee.

Karen worked as a secretary at the Mental Health Institute in Cherokee, Iowa and then as a secretary for the Iowa State Patrol - District 5 office in Cherokee, Iowa for 26 years, retiring in April of 2010.

Karen is survived by her husband, Russell of Alta, Iowa; children, Rhonda (Michael) Ross of Des Moines, Iowa, Jeffrey A. Gaskill of Alta, Iowa and Kari (Neil) Puetz of Plattsburg, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; brothers, Garlan (Helen) McGowan and Merlin McGowan of Alta, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Gaskill of Denison, Iowa and Don (Joan) Gaskill of Meriden, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Kathi McGowan of Destin, Florida, Esther Snyder of Indianola, Iowa, Marilyn Arhart of Columbia Falls, Montana, Janet Schimmer and Melba Smith of Galva, Iowa; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Deloris Luttrell; brothers, Delmar McGowan, Donald McGowan, Robert McGowan and Dennis McGowan; parents-in-law, Kenneth R. and Esther Lorraine (Swanson) Gaskill; sisters-in-law, Delores McGowan, Betty McGowan, Mary McGowan and MaryAnn McGowan; brothers-in-law, Ronald Snyder, Elvin Schimmer and Lloyd Arhart.