:quality(70):focal(53x61:63x71)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/WVZBLYCX4NDIZOR5CF2F2WE76A.jpg)
Karen Lee Greene, 69, of Newton, Iowa, passed away peacefully in her home on March 18, 2025, surrounded by her daughters and loved ones. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to The Least of Saints Church or Newton Christian School. Memorials can be sent to the family or left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.
Karen was born on September 29, 1956, in Inglewood, California, to Richard and Edna Cleveland. She grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from Lowell High School in 1974. During her teen years, she met Scott Greene. Together, they built a life filled with adventures—racing sprint cars, flying to Catalina Island in her father’s plane, camping, boating, and traveling to Hawaii and Mexico.
In 1982, they welcomed their first daughter, Casey, and in 1988, their second daughter, Kelsey. Karen raised her girls with grit, humor, and deep devotion—navigating life’s turns with strength and a fiercely protective heart. She worked for many years at the Radisson Hotel before later joining Iowa Telecom. She eventually moved back to California to care for her aging mother—something that spoke volumes about her loyalty and compassion.
Though her marriage to Scott ended in the late ‘90s, Karen continued to show up for her family in unique and generous ways. In an unexpected twist of grace, she and Scott’s wife, Linda, became close friends—sharing holidays, laughter, and even a home temporarily after a flood displaced her.
Karen’s ability to love beyond expectation, to co-parent with integrity, and to build bridges instead of walls, leaves a legacy of connection and care. Her impact will be felt forever.
She is survived by her daughters Casey (Ryan) Illingworth and Kelsey Greene; her grandchildren Adley and Blake Illingworth and Myles Knudsen; her brother Richard (Cindy) Cleveland of Utah; her beloved cat, Cole; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother.
Karen lived a life full of heart, honesty, and quiet resilience. Her absence leaves an ache, but her presence will always be carried forward in the lives she touched.