Karen Brandt

A celebration of life for Karen I. Brandt, 67 of Wellman will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona.  Burial will follow at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Joetown, Iowa.  Visitation will be held Monday, February 3 from 4 – 8 PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona.  A general memorial fund has been established.  Karen Brandt died suddenly at the University of Iowa Hospital on Wednesday, January 30, 2014.

Karen Ilene (Butterbaugh) Brandt was born January 5, 1947 in Washington, Iowa the daugther of Dairld and Yevonne (Romine) Butterbaugh.  She graduated from Mid Prairie High School in 1966.  While she was in high school she worked as a waitress at the Capper Cafe.  After graduation she worked at Sheller Globe in Iowa City.  On October 7, 1972 she was united in marriage to Gaylord Brandt and the couple enjoyed traveling the country for many years thanks to Gaylord's employment as a boilermaker.  The couple later divorced.  Karen then worked in the kitchen at Parkview Manor in Wellman for three years and in 1994 she began working in housekeeping at the University of Iowa on the burn unit, where she was currently employed.  She loved animals of all kinds.

Survivors include her son Eric Brandt of Wellman, IA, one sister; Juanita Kauffman of Washington, IA, a number of nieces and nephews, one uncle; Jerry Butterbaugh of Florida, one aunt; Betty and husband Knight Wagner of Sacramento, CA, and a cousin; Jesse Hohenshell of Wellman, IA.

Preceding Karen in death were her parents, one brother; Ron Butterbaugh, a nephew; Shawn Butterbaugh and a number of aunts and uncles.