Karen Smith's Obituary
Memorial Services to celebrate the life of Karen J. Smith, 79, of Clinton, will be held at 6:00pm, Monday, June 29, 2015 at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. The family will greet friends from 4:00pm to the service time Monday at the funeral home. Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Mrs. Smith died peacefully at her home on Friday, June 26, 2015.
Karen was born on December 14, 1935 in Clinton, Iowa, the daughter of Wilfred and Erma (Dierksen) Hopkins. She graduated from Clinton High School. She was sometimes a stay at home mom, worked at Northwestern Bell, Nielsen Clearing House, Champion Packaging, and eventfully retired from Lamson and Sessions (Carlon).
She was an avid reader, finding the freedom to explore many new authors and genres when she began using an e-reader. She loved birds, butterflies and collecting thimbles. Jigsaw and word puzzles were also a passion, but what she loved most was her family and spending time with them. She was strong, loving, generous and compassionate, and would go without so that others would not.
Survivors include her daughter Betsy (Scott) Smith of Clinton, her son: Pat (Tracy) Hoffman of Clinton, her step-son: Joel Leslie of Walcott, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Amanda Deuermeyer, Katie Dykstra, Andrew (Amanda) Smith, Tim (Heather) Hoffman, Rebecca Hoffman, Nick Jewell, David Dalton, and Joshua Dalton; 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild with two on the way; brothers: David Hopkins of Clinton, and Robert Hopkins of Florida, aunts, uncles and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother: Keith Hopkins, sisters-in-law: Mary Jane Hopkins and Myrna Hopkins.
The family would like to thank all who cared for her these past months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mercy Home Care, Mercy Hospice, or the family.
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