Boone, IOWA–Karen L. Ricklefs, age 67, of Boone, passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Unity Point-Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets, where there will be a time of remembrance held at 6:30. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, March 4, 2022 at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Boone. Burial will be in the Linwood Park Cemetery.
Born on October 21, 1954 in Guthrie Center, Iowa, Karen was the daughter of Harold and Marcelyn (Morris) Holmes. She graduated from Waverly High School in 1972. While in high school, Karen was a member of the Marching and Concert Bands where she played the Clarinet, Future Homemakers of America, Pep Club, and Speech.
Karen studied Special Education and Elementary Education at the University of Nebraska, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1975. She finished her education earning a master’s degree from Viterbo University in 2002.
Karen began her career teaching in Conrad, Iowa from 1976-1978. She then taught in Chambers, Nebraska from 1978-1980. She moved to Boone in the fall of 1980 and taught grades 2nd – 6th special education students at Lincoln and Franklin elementary schools until her retirement in 2017. Karen dedicated over 42 years of her life to helping others. She touched the lives of countless students and her peers with her patience and kindness.
She was united in marriage to Carl Ricklefs on July 23, 1988, at Sacred Heart Church in Boone. To this union they had two children, Kelly and Tyler.
In her free time, Karen enjoyed crafting, cross stitch, and completing crossword puzzles. She also enjoyed shopping, cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones (especially football), and spending quality time with her kids and husband every chance she got. She loved being a grandma and adored her grandson Hudson. Her love language was gift-giving. Karen made every holiday and birthday special. Karen was a member of Sacred Heart Church.
Karen is survived by her husband of 33 years, Carl of Boone; her daughter Kelly Ricklefs of West Des Moines; her son and daughter-in-law, Tyler and Sonni Ricklefs of West Des Moines, and their son, Hudson; her father, Harold Holmes of O’Neill, NE; brothers, Duane (Pam) Holmes of Lincoln, NE.; Craig (Tina) Holmes of Woodbridge, VA.; and a sister, Joyce (Gary) Burival of O’Neill, NE; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Marcelyn Holmes.
Karen and family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Tom Buroker, his nursing staff (Michelle and Melanie), and everyone that cared for her at John Stoddard Cancer Center throughout the years. Dr. Buroker was in her corner every step of the way. Karen always said they don’t make doctors like him anymore and I’m glad he is on my side.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel and online condolences may be left for Karen’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society-Des Moines. https://givenow.lls.org.
Karen L. Ricklefs, 67, Boone, Iowa
