- Born on: January 22, 1936
- Departed on: June 10, 2025
- Resided in: Lansing, IA
Karen Jean Milton
Karen Jean Milton, age 89, of Lansing, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Thornton Manor Nursing Center in Lansing with family by her side.
She was born January 22, 1936, in Woodstock, WI, to Emmet Lee and Ruth Augusta (Fairbrother) Barnhart. She graduated high school and went on to further her education at Madison Business College for 2 years. On July 28, 1956, Karen married Dennis Edward Milton in Portage, WI. She was employed as a secretary to various companies, WI Inheritance Department and Wisconsin Journal both in Madison, WI and Lansing Methodist Church in Lansing, IA. She was even a bartender at Knight Club in Lansing. Karen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, IA and the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed embroidery, crossword puzzles, fishing, sewing, and quilt tying. She also enjoyed bowling, attending church, and cooking for others (especially baked goods), and she always sported an infectious smile.
Survivors include her husband, Dennis Milton of Lansing, IA; four children, Deborah (Charles) Hammel of Dorchester, IA, David (Teresa) Milton of Alma, WI, Donna (Kevin) Hogan of Lansing, IA and Denise Milton of La Crosse, WI. She is further survived by 14 grandchildren, Sarah (Jason) Bakula, Matthew Hammel, Anthony Hammel, Kenneth (Shaylee) Hammel, Melissa (Henry) Martinson, Emily (Mitchell) Drey, Samantha (Matt) Rolbiecki, Jerrica (JR) Brink, Jacob Milton, Jordan (Taylor) Milton, Thomas Milton, Sean Hogan, Kathryn (Blake) Feuerhelm and Dillon Hogan and 10 great-grandchildren. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Kathleen (Barnhart) Beavin and three brothers, Kenneth, Kermit and Karl Barnhart.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Thornton Manor Nursing and Care Center, Lansing, VFW Auxiliary Post 5981, Lansing, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
A visitation for Karen will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, beginning at 9 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 204 W Main St., Waukon. Graveside service at Lansing Ridge Cemetery will take place following a church luncheon.
Karen will be remembered for her unique laugh, her apple pie and her love of fishing.
She was born January 22, 1936, in Woodstock, WI, to Emmet Lee and Ruth Augusta (Fairbrother) Barnhart. She graduated high school and went on to further her education at Madison Business College for 2 years. On July 28, 1956, Karen married Dennis Edward Milton in Portage, WI. She was employed as a secretary to various companies, WI Inheritance Department and Wisconsin Journal both in Madison, WI and Lansing Methodist Church in Lansing, IA. She was even a bartender at Knight Club in Lansing. Karen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, IA and the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed embroidery, crossword puzzles, fishing, sewing, and quilt tying. She also enjoyed bowling, attending church, and cooking for others (especially baked goods), and she always sported an infectious smile.
Survivors include her husband, Dennis Milton of Lansing, IA; four children, Deborah (Charles) Hammel of Dorchester, IA, David (Teresa) Milton of Alma, WI, Donna (Kevin) Hogan of Lansing, IA and Denise Milton of La Crosse, WI. She is further survived by 14 grandchildren, Sarah (Jason) Bakula, Matthew Hammel, Anthony Hammel, Kenneth (Shaylee) Hammel, Melissa (Henry) Martinson, Emily (Mitchell) Drey, Samantha (Matt) Rolbiecki, Jerrica (JR) Brink, Jacob Milton, Jordan (Taylor) Milton, Thomas Milton, Sean Hogan, Kathryn (Blake) Feuerhelm and Dillon Hogan and 10 great-grandchildren. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Kathleen (Barnhart) Beavin and three brothers, Kenneth, Kermit and Karl Barnhart.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Thornton Manor Nursing and Care Center, Lansing, VFW Auxiliary Post 5981, Lansing, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
A visitation for Karen will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, beginning at 9 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 204 W Main St., Waukon. Graveside service at Lansing Ridge Cemetery will take place following a church luncheon.
Karen will be remembered for her unique laugh, her apple pie and her love of fishing.
