Obituary for Karen K. Baxter

Karen K. Baxter, 67, Tipton, Iowa, died Sunday evening, May 16th, 2010. Her family was present with her at the Mechanicsville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Mechanicsville, Iowa. She requested cremation. A memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at the Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Pastor Tim Shekleton officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. A light lunch will be served following the service. The Ranney Funeral Home of Wheaton, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements. The daughter of Roy and Doris Berger, she was born March 30th, 1943 in Graceville, Minn. Karen was confirmed in her Christian faith at Bethlehem Covenant Church on May 5th, 1957. She married Robert Baxter on June 2nd, 1961. Karen was a radiant daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She was a devoted wife and stay-at-home mom. When her children were no longer at home and her husband became ill, Karen worked diligently at Wabash Transformers, Clarence, Iowa in the 90''s then from January 2002 to October 2004. She was one of the best at winding electrical transformers for premium audio products. More importantly, she was well liked by management and staff, and still, anyone who picks up the phone at Wabash knows Karen. Her love of nature was beyond obvious. She was kin to the birds and trees that graced her environment. The Cottonwoods of Redpath Township, her uncommon love for the most common annual flowers, the petunias, marigolds and zinnias were legendary with Karen. She also loved her many pets, the cats and dogs of her years. She especially enjoyed being a Minnesota Gophers and Vikings fan at her chosen home in Iowa, where sports loyalties often lie elsewhere! Karen most recently made her residence at the Tipton Senior Park and dearly loved her friends and neighbors there. She is survived by her son Scott Baxter (Lynn), Prescott, Ariz., and daughter Major Michelle Kastler (Robert), Scott AFB, Ill (St. Louis area); 2 grandchildren, Katie and Michael Kastler; 2 sisters Jeannie Drinkwater (Jim) of Hudson, Wisc., and Linda Hache (Bruce) of Minnetonka, Minn; and brother Steve Berger (Vicky) of Norcross, Minn. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Family requests donations in lieu of flowers to Bethlehem Covenant Church, American Cancer Society, or your local Humane Society/Animal Shelter. To sign the online guest book please visit www.ranneyfuneralhome.com