Obituary of Karen I. Heck

Karen I. Heck A visitation with Karen's family and friends, will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. As an expression of sympathy, memorials in Karen's name is being designated, or for Breast Cancer Awareness. Funeral services for Karen will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, Nov. 5, at the Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church in Newton. Karen I. Heck, 58, the daughter of Harold D. and Arlene (Simbro) Meyer-Hicks, was born January 25, 1952, in Newton, Iowa. A lifelong resident of the Newton area, she graduated from the Newton Senior High, Class of 1970. At the age of 16, Karen was engaged to her true love, John W. Heck. On March 20, 1970, she and John were united in marriage at the Four Square Church in Newton. To this union two children were born, Shelly and Todd. Karen was employed by the Vernon Company in Newton, retiring as a machine operator. She devoted her life to her husband, children and grandchildren, retiring early to become a full time grandma and daycare giver to her grandchildren. She enjoyed camping, playing golf, making crafts, especially the pink wreaths for breast cancer awareness, helping with Outdoors With Out Boundaries and camping at the Iowa Speedway. In the past, she was active with the Newton Reserve Police, for thirteen plus years. Karen died on Tuesday morning, November 2, 2010, at the Iowa City Hospital and Clinics. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold; four brothers: Leroy, Harold Jr., Brian and Jeff; and a sister Helen Meyer. Those left to honor Karen's memory include her husband John; her daughter: Shelly (Donny) Fitzgerald of Newton; her son: Todd (Heather) Heck of Altoona, IA; her ten grandchildren: Kory, Emily, Grant and Anna, Mandy, Dilyn, Bailey, Jarod, Megen and Ashlynn; a young man who resided with Karen and John for several years, Chris Lane; Karen's mother: Arlene (Bill) Hicks; sisters: Harriett (Gary) Allspach and Melinda (Mark) Housley, all of Newton and Alta (Jim) Hendershott of Melbourne, IA; brothers: Arden (Sandy) Meyer and Randy (Diane) Meyer, all of Newton; a step-brother, Robby Hicks of Marshalltown, IA; many nieces and nephews; and many friends. Calling hours will be Thursday with the family, from 5 - 8pm at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton, IA. The funeral will be Friday at 11:00, at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, 1000 E. 12th Street S., Newton with Pastor Jim Olson officiating.