Karen Fay Calsbeek

Rock Valley, IA: Karen Calsbeek, 76, died Sunday, June 2, 2019 at her home in Rock Valley. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 7, at 10:00 AM at First Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Rev. Dr. Verlyn Boone officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Thursday, June 6, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley.

   Karen Fay Calsbeek was born March 2, 1943, the daughter of Peter Jr. and Catherine (Feekes) Moerman in Rock Valley, Iowa. She attended and graduated from Sioux Center High School. Karen married Russell Calsbeek on April 7, 1961. She lived in Rock Valley all of her married life. Karen worked many years as a teachers aide at River Valley School/AE4 and later worked as a janitor at the First Reformed Church in Rock Valley. She was a member of the First Reformed Church in Rock Valley. Karen enjoyed spending time with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed reading and watching Wheel of Fortune. Karen led her life by example and always told her kids “it will all be OK!”.

   Karen is survived by three children, Sherwyn Calsbeek of Larchwood, Iowa, Dawn (Paul) Van Beek of Doon, Iowa, and Patricia (Terry) Penning of Rock Valley, Iowa; 8 grandchildren, Carisa (Brent), Ryan (Kyla), Kalee, Megan (Kyle), Kevin (Rachel), Brady (Mariah), Mackenzie, and Carter; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Roger Moerman of Kennewick, Washington; sisters, Wilma (Doug) Kooima of Rock Valley; Mary (Tom) Heeringa of Tucson, Arizona, and Debra (John) Towne of Benson, Arizona; and brother-in-law, Frank (Ula) Calsbeek of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Catherine; husband, Russell; daughter-in-law, Lori Calsbeek, sister-in-law, Sheryl Moerman; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mari (Jim) Gier.