Karen S Sweeney

Karen Susan Sweeney was born in Carroll, Iowa on September 24, 1942 to Knute and Frances Nelson. She attended Kuemper Catholic High School where she played violin in the school orchestra.

Following graduation she moved to Omaha to continue her education. At the invitation of friends she was back in Carroll where she met the love of her life, Edward Eugene (“Gene”) Sweeney. They were united in marriage on December 28, 1963 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. To this union five children were born.

They farmed in Adair until Gene’s untimely death in 1984. A few years later Karen moved the family to Carroll. She began a career in caregiving at New Hope Village. She worked in a group home caring for four developmentally disabled individuals. They referred to her as “mom” and she received a nice picture of them upon retirement.

After retirement, she was active in a number of volunteer activities, including RSVP, Catholic Daughters, among others. She enjoyed reading and could often be seen sitting outside with a good mystery novel.

She particularly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She loved challenging them to board games, with Clue being her personal favorite. She enjoyed putting together puzzles, playing cards, and Bingo was a favorite activity in her later years.

Karen passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at the age of 81. She was preceded in death by her parents, Knute and Frances, her husband Eugene, and her sister Bonnie Rausch.

Karen is survived by her children, Steven Sweeney, Cynthia (John) Kinney, Robert (Clarissa) Sweeney, Kelly (David) Wade, and Karrie (Greg) Tate; her grandchildren, Aaron Sweeney, Aidan Sweeny, Blake Kinney, Anissa Kinney, Even Everman, and Lexi Everman; her five siblings; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at St. John's Catholic Church in Adair with Father Ray Higgins as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Adair.

The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the New Hope Village Foundation and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair is caring for the Sweeney family at this time.