Karen Kay (Kaisand) Breeding

She was the daughter of Harry and Gertrude Kaisand. Sister to Joyce (Bill), Len (Elena), and Jim. Growing up, Karen lived and breathed helping her dad with chores on the farm, playing basketball, competing in the state basketball free throw finals, showing her horse, Heperlio, and being voted Valedictorian of her graduating class at Liscomb High School. She went on to pursue her college education, culminating by faithfully serving her staff and residents as a Nursing Home Administrator at the Good Samaritan Center in Davenport, Iowa, for many years. She also served as the Executive Director of Bartels Lutheran Community in Waverly, IA. Karen was also very involved as a member, and finally the President of the Iowa Healthcare Association. She was a huge advocate for healthcare issues, along with her husband, who was the Executive Director of the Iowa Homecare Association. They were a dynamic duo!

Karen resided in Ankeny, IA, with the love of her life, Larry. They were blessed with a rare second love together. They took pride in offering their family wisdom, support, and guidance as they navigated almost 32 years of their lives together. They enjoyed traveling the globe, but their hearts called them to the sands and sunsets of Orange Beach, AL, for many winters.

Karen was at her finest as a loving and devoted mother to her children and their spouses, Jeff and Susan, Jonathan and Rhonda, Jerrie and Jill, Kelley and Jeff, Kristina and Mike, Kathleen, Brian and Rebecca, and Barbara and Pat.

She also adored her grandchildren, who affectionately called her Nani; Shana, Shelby and Bill, Joel and Mary, Lindsey, Leslie and Douglas, Jessica and Stuart, Justin, Karen Mary and John, Jed and Hannah, Jonathan and Rachel, Joey and Silvana, Kaitlyn, Kassandra and Marc, Keirstin and Joe, Karson, Kade, Paige, Logan, Samantha and Edward.

Her doubly adored great-grandchildren called her Nani too: Sophia, Blake, Wesley, Sam. Stacey, Ellie Anna, Wyatt, Warren, Harrison, Jackson, Joseph, Jonathan, Jedidiah, Landen, Iyla, Thomas, Kaden, Kelley, Keegan, Delilah, Leah, Lily, Jeffrey, Miller, Kinsley, and Harlee.

The family would like to thank the staff at Valley View Village Memory Care Unit for their gentle and warm-hearted care, and to Suncrest Hospice for their compassionate and dedicated touch.

Memorials can be made to Valley View Village, 2571 Gutherie Ave, Des Moines, Iowa, 50317.

Karen shares her faith openly. One of her favorite verses was, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" ~ Romans 1:16