Karen E. Bleakney

Karen E. (Wilson) Bleakney, 72, of Newton died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton.

A funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials to Skiff Hospice or the Newton Animal Rescue League may be left at the funeral home.

Karen, the daughter of Laurel “Chic” B. and I. Gail (Shaffer) Wilson, was born Oct. 31, 1941, in Newton. She was a lifelong resident of Newton. Karen was united in marriage with Robert F. Bleakney Dec. 7, 1979, in Newton. She worked as a sales associate at Pappy’s Antique Mall and was a member of the Newton Church of the Way. Karen also was instrumental in starting the Pony Express in Jasper County and served as an officer. She was an extraordinary, amazing and strong woman who beat cancer 20 years ago. Karen was loved by all who knew her. She enjoyed cats, gardening, baking and cooking, and working on her computer.

Those left to honor Karen’s memory are her children, Chuck (Sue) DeBruyn of Marshalltown, Marv DeBruyn of Newton, Jerry Chandler, Jr. of Newton, and Kristi (Gary) Etter of Eden Prairie, Minn.; step-children, Mike (Mary) Bleakney of Newton, Deb (Rod Snodgrass) Bleakney of Newton, and Dan Bleakney of Napa Valley, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her half-brothers, Jim (Jamie) Wilson and Bob (Donna) Wilson; best friend, Marty Froah of Newton; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Bleakney in 2008; daughter, Diana Glenn; sister, Judi Bushue; and a brother, Larry Wilson.