Karen Bowen

Karen Lee (Marvin) Bowen, daughter of Charles “Chick” and Mary Lou (Tillotson) Marvin was born July 24, 1950 in Osceola, Iowa and passed from this life on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at her home in Osceola, Iowa at 74 years of age.

Karen was a lifetime resident of Osceola. She graduated from Clarke Community High School with the Class of 1968 and later graduated from Southwestern Community College in 2005 with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management.

Karen was united in marriage to Phillip Gale Bowen on July 1, 1968 in Osceola, Iowa and they were blessed with three children, Steve, Lynnsey and Amy.

Karen worked at Furnas Electric and later at the Clarke County Recorder’s Office. She met many lifetime friends during her employment.

Karen was a very loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was very active in all of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Karen was a Girl Scout leader, a softball coach, and a volunteer at school. She bowled in many leagues and tournaments over the years, played volleyball and participated in tug of war competitions. She loved to travel and take vacations with family and friends. Karen and Phil were also members of a Classic Car Club that traveled the United States together. Karen also enjoyed spending time in her garden and growing her own vegetables. She was always excited to meet with her “coffee ladies” and hang out with friends. She loved dressing up for Halloween and was known for her many amazing costumes. She always looked forward to the holidays and spending time with family. She will be greatly missed by all.

Those relatives who preceded Karen in death were her husband, Phil Bowen, parents, Charles and Mary Lou Marvin, father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Hazel Bowen, brothers-in-law, Gifford Bowen and Irwin Bowen.

Karen leaves to cherish her memory; son, Steve (Karen) Bowen of Van Wert, IA, daughter, Lynnsey (Ryan) Bowen-Mott of Carlisle, IA, daughter, Amanda (Amy) Bowen-Held of Osceola, IA, 8 grandchildren, Braydon and Reece Held, Rylee, Evan and Haley Mott, Josh (Rebecca) San Miguel, Kayleigh (Levi) Wilson and Bonnie (Wyatt) Farrell, brother, Bill “Monk” Marvin of Osceola, IA, sister, Catherine (Dan) Van Zee of Soldotna, AK, sister-in-law, Shirlee Bowen of Joliet, IL, as well as many other relatives and friends.

Services will be held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 11:00 am with Terry Roberts officiating.

Karen’s family will greet friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday evening at the funeral home.

A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Karen’s tribute wall beginning at 11:00 am, Tuesday.

Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be decided later.

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