Karen Kay Menz

Karen Menz, age 69 of Perry, passed away on Friday, March 11, 2022, at her home near Perry. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Bouton. The service will be livestreamed on the Carris Family Funeral Home and Cremation Care Facebook page. Visitation will be on Friday, March 18, 2022, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. with family present from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care in Perry. Burial will be at Violet Hill Cemetery, Perry. Memorials will be given to Camp Mitigwa or Perry Lutheran Home and may be left at the funeral home or can be mailed to David Menz at 12476 Houston Ave., Perry, IA 50220. Karen Kay (Knepper) Menz was born September 22, 1952, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to John "Gene" Eugene and Betty Jean (Baumeister) Knepper. She graduated from Perry High School in Iowa and Maryville University in Missouri. She was an educator for two years in the Winterset school system. She was united in marriage to David Carl Menz at Trinity Lutheran Church in Perry on June 12, 1976, then moved to Perry where she taught elementary school for thirty-one years. Karen was a devoted member of Christ Lutheran Church, where she was involved with Lutheran Womens Missionary League, led the creation of the Acorns & Oaks Day Care, and created her "Fridays with Sister Karen" devotion series. Known as Grandma Goldfish, she loved spending time with her grandchildren who inspired her to fulfill her lifelong dream of writing children's books. Karen loved exploring Gods world with her husband and her cameras: from the timber down the road, to Rocky Mountain National Park, to the African savanna and beyond. Karen cultivated Gods beauty in an ever-expanding two-acre flower garden. Karen was Boy Scout leader to two Eagle Scouts and one Tiger Cub. She was famous for her cinnamon rolls, ham balls, and shortbread. Karen loved music: she led her church choir, organized her annual Honor and Praise Concert, and sang with her sisters in the Grace Alone gospel ensemble for over twenty years. Karen passed peacefully at home surrounded by friends, family, and love, while listening to a recording of her father sing the Lords Prayer. In death she rejoins her parents: Gene and Betty Knepper. Left to cherish Karens memory are her husband: David Menz, sons: Andy (Sarah) Menz, Ben (Cassie) Menz and Aaron Menz, grandchildren: Lily, Elysse, Edison, Izaak, Hank, and Jake, siblings: Kent (Rhonda) Knepper, Connie (Paul) Sheehy, Craig (Janice) Knepper, Scott (Carla) Knepper and numerous nieces and nephews. Karen loved and was loved by countless friends, former students, and furry critters. Funeral Service Saturday, March 19, 2022 10:30 AM Christ Lutheran Church 22952 141st Drive Bouton, IA 50039-4493 Visitation Friday, March 18, 2022 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care 1721 Park St Perry, Iowa 50220