Karen Benson

Karen Louise Benson, daughter of George Squier and Ruby Leona (Bishop) Squier was born October 29, 1941 in Osceola, Iowa and passed from this life, suddenly at her home in Osceola, Iowa on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at  78 years of age.

Karen grew up in Osceola and graduated from Osceola High School.  She was united in marriage to Charles E. Snell on August 27, 1966, 2 children (Michelle and Melissa) were born to this union.  They lived in Alaska, Illinois and Missouri while Chuck was serving in the military.  They moved back to Osceola in 1974.  They divorced in 1988. Karen married Bradley Benson on January 27, 1990. They were married until his death in September 2011.

After high school graduation, she worked for Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance in Des Moines.  She later returned to Osceola and worked part time at Sears Catalog store in Osceola.  She then worked as a dispatcher for the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department (where she was involved with the introduction of 9-1-1 to Clarke County)  and retired after 33 years.  She was a member of the Eastern Star, the Osceola Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and the Osceola Eagles Lodge.

Karen was an avid reader, she enjoyed watching the HGTV show “Building Off The Grid” and enjoyed watching golf and was a huge Tiger Woods fan.  She followed NASCAR and cheered for Dale Earnhardt Jr..  He love was her dogs, Roscoe and Jimma, who her daughters knew were number one in her life.

Those relatives who preceded Karen in death were her husband, Brad Benson, parents, George and Ruby Squier, and brothers, Norman Squier and Stephen L Squier.

Karen leaves to cherish her memory; daughters, Michelle Snell of Des Moines, IA, and Melissa (John) Snell-Gunter of Osceola, IA, nieces, Nancy Thomas  and Beth Hartman both of Creston, IA, nephews Todd Snell and Quincy Snell and nieces, Shari Updike and Carey Robins, as well as other relatives and many friends.

Services will be held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Wednesday December 18, 2019 at 11:00 am with Larry Squier officiating.

Family will greet friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Kale Funeral Home.

Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a tribute to be decided at a later date.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com