March 29, 2024

Karen Donner

Afton

Karen L. Donner, 74, of Afton, formerly of Creston, died July 25, 2015, at the Afton Care Center.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Pearson Family Funeral Service, 809 W. Montgomery, Creston. Inurnment will be private at Greenlawn Cemetery, Afton. There will be no public viewing. Visitation with family present will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. A luncheon will follow the memorial service at the Eagles in Creston. Memorials may be directed to C.A.R.E. (Creston Animal Rescue Effort). Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Karen Louise Donner, daughter of Jim and Evelyn Fern (Jarvis) Kinyon, was born on Jan. 23, 1941, in Greenfield.

Karen was raised to age five by her foster parents, Alma E. and Ern Butler of Greenfield, due to the death of her father Jim. When her mother Evelyn married Carl Griswold, Karen was reunited with her mother and step-father in Creston. Karen resided in Creston the majority of her life.

Karen managed the cafe at the Creston Sale Barn, and later worked in the kitchen at Greater Community Hospital in Creston. On June 17, 1967, Karen married Arthur Roe Donner in Creston. Karen received her GED in 1968 from Southwestern Community College and she later attended college at SWCC and received a certification in office occupations. Following graduation, she worked at Innovative Industries for several years, before working for Arnold O. Kenyon, attorney, as his administrative assistant. She moved to Apache Junction, Ariz., in 2003, and lived there for nearly 12 years where she worked for the Marc Center as a residential aide. Karen recently returned to the area due to her ill health. Karen was a former member of the Creston Eagles.

Karen is survived by her children, Michael “Mick” (Mary) Quinn-Donner of Dunedin, Fla., Marcie (Mike) Page of Shannon City, Lori (Curtis) Clark of Harrisonville, Mo., and Marla (Gerrit) Vrieze of Winterset; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; brothers, Marvin (Betty) Griswold of Chariton and John R. (Ann) Griswold of Unionville, Mo.; sisters, Marjorie Erickson of Mesa, Ariz. and Charlotte Werth and spouse Jo Knott of Red Oak; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her biological parents; foster parents; step-father; husband, Arthur R. Donner in 1996; brother, Dale E. Griswold; sister, Donna J. Griswold; brother-in-law, George Erickson; first husband John G. Shimer; second husband Raymond Michael Zeimet; and grandchild Patrick Joseph Quinn-Donner in 1999.