Funeral services for Karen Blackburn, 81, of Jefferson, were held December 23, 2021, at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. Interment was at Junction Township Cemetery, Grand Junction.
Karen Louise Blackburn was born March 6, 1940, to Lawrence and Ruth Madsen in Humboldt County. Karen graduated from Bradgate High School in 1958. Karen lived in Story City and worked at Collegiate in Ames when she met Allen Blackburn. Karen and Allen were united in marriage on Sept. 27, 1968. Allen and Karen had two children, Terry and Judy.
For a few years they lived in Beaver before moving to the Blackburn family farm outside of Grand Junction in 1974. They remained on the farm until they moved to town in 2006. Karen worked at Casey’s General Store in Grand Junction from 1977 until her retirement in 2011.
In 2013, Allen and Karen were honored with the Iowa Department of Ag & Land Stewardship Century Farm designation at the Iowa State Fair.
Karen enjoyed visiting with family and friends and was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Karen passed away peacefully on Dec. 19, 2021 in Jefferson.
Preceding Karen in death are her husband Allen, and her parents Lawrence and Ruth Madsen. Survivors include her children Terry (Christine Snyder) Blackburn of Ankeny and Judy (Rick) Hillman of Grand Junction; sisters: Audrey Hammond of Eldora and Donna Finnegan of Fort Dodge; other relatives; and many friends.
