Karen Kay Crane

Karen Kay (Schmidt) Crane passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at home. She was 81. Karen was born June 18, 1944, to Leslie and Wilma (Taylor) Schmidt, in Charles City, IA. The family later moved to Waterloo, and she attended East High School. She had four children, LaDonna, Kim, Brenda and Troy. She married Jackie Crane on July 31, 1970, in Galena, Illinois.

Early in life, Karen enjoyed camping at campgrounds near Waterloo and trout fishing in the Decorah area. She also loved the mountains in Colorado and Wyoming and trout fishing in Laramie.

She enjoyed thrifting and garage sales with her children and sisters. Karen loved a good bargain. She enjoyed late night shopping at WalMart, always making a purchase but then returning it the next day after she decided it wasn’t needed. She had a sweet tooth and always had cookies and candy to share. Butterscotch candies could always be found in the candy dish.

Late in life one of Karen’s most favorite things was watching The Golden Girls from episode one to the end and then starting over. She thought it was so funny. She loved joking around with all her family, especially her siblings and they would laugh and laugh. Karen loved her children and family dearly.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Wilma Schmidt; her husband, Jackie Crane; one daughter, LaDonna Rowell; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Vince Saccento; one brother and sister-in-law, George and Doris Schmidt; and brother-in-law, Donald Mintey.

Karen is survived by her children, Kim Vosika of Shakopee, MN, Brenda (Craig) Cook of Evansdale, IA and Troy (Brenda) Lehr of Cedar Falls, IA; one son in law, Todd Rowell of Hudson, IA; two stepsons, Monte (Lorraine) Crane of Granite City, IL and Michael (Cindy) Crane of Waterloo, IA; three stepdaughters, Jeanne (Layne)Sandford of Waterloo, IA, Julie (Dave) Laird of Waterloo, IA and Janet (Patrick) Wyett of Raymond, IA; two brothers, Larry (Jennifer) Schmidt of Jesup, IA and Bob (Dixie) Schmidt of Dunkerton, IA; two sisters, her twin, Karol Mintey of Waterloo, IA and Judy (Vernon) Schellhorn of Jesup, IA; 12 grandchildren; 9 step grandchildren; and many great and great great grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Services will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 11:00 am at Parrott and Wood Funeral Home, 965 Home Plaza, Waterloo, IA. The family will greet guests at a visitation August 12, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 am.