Karen was born in Humboldt, Iowa, on March 4, 1939, to Oliver and Veva (Kinseth) Holden. Karen Rae (Holden) Hankins passed away on October 2, 2022 after a long battle with cancer.
Karen married Gary Hankins, her high school sweetheart in Brookings, South Dakota in 1961.
Karen attended Iowa School of Beauty for two years while living in Des Moines and worked for the Des Moines School System for 17 years. She taught at Wakonda Christian Pre-school. She loved and supported her church, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. The same church that her 4 boys were confirmed.
Karen loved camping with her husband, Gary Hankins and her 4 boys Todd, Terry, Timothy and Tyler. Also known as the 4 T’s. She loved working in her yard and house, always improving and making it look nice. She loved going to breakfast with Shirley O’Hara, Ardell Anderson and Sharon Rooney. She also loved her grandson’s dog Thor and her new dog Max. Karen loved the Iowa Hawkeye basketball and football teams.
Karen is survived by her Hero husband Gary of 61 years. Sons- Todd, Terry, Timothy, and Tyler, 4 grandchildren Laura (James) Holloway, Devon (Jordan) Mamaro, Ryan Hankins, and Evan (Lauren) Hankins and three beautiful great-grandchildren Jimmy and Vayda Holloway, and Avery Hankins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Veva Holden, brother, Roger (Louise) Holden, sister Marlene (Chris) Kjar, special aunt Velma Holden and her beloved dog Thor.
On Monday, October 10th there will be a memorial service held in her honor at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (3820 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA) at 11:00AM. There will be a luncheon reception and time for gathering to commemorate Karen’s life following the memorial service. Karen will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens.