Obituary for Karen Marie Penry

Karen Marie Penry, 77, of Boone, passed away peacefully at Boone County Hospital on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

A celebration of Karen’s life will be held later this summer; details will be shared once arrangements are complete.

Born at Boone County Hospital on March 31, 1948, Karen was the daughter of Earl and Gladys (Danks) Craven. She grew up in Boone and attended Boone Community Schools. In 1967 she married and welcomed her beloved son, Greg in 1969. Her first marriage dissolved so, Karen and Greg moved to the Quad Cities, where she worked for The Quad-City Times and tended bar at local establishments. 

In 1984 she married Phillip Penry, and the couple eventually returned to Boone. In 2011 Phillip and Karen divorced. Karen joined the staff of the Boone News-Republican and later the Boone Hy-Vee, where her ready smile and easy conversation made her a favorite of colleagues and customers alike. She took great pride in the cozy apartment she called home for more than 16 years.

A 2013 cancer diagnosis tested Karen’s resilience; she met the challenge head-on, achieving remission while bravely navigating the complications that followed. With the help of Suncrest Hospice and the devoted care of Greg and Nikki, she remained a determined fighter to the very end.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, Phil Penry; and her sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Mike Peterson.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Nikki Gustafson of Boone; grandchildren Devin Johnson of Ames, Shelby (Anthony) Mendoza of Eagle Grove, and Alecia Gustafson (Tyson Kroll) of Boone; great-grandson Kade Kroll of Boone; brother John (Marlys) Craven of Boone; sister Debi Craven of Boone; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family, who will designate them in Karen’s honor.