Karen Vonceil (Crouse) Jordison peacefully entered the kingdom of heaven December 2, 2021 with her husband faithfully by her side. Karen was born on March 15, 1940 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She was the daughter of the late Melbourne and Ida (Cowell) Crouse. Karen graduated Fort Dodge High School in 1958 and went on to attend AIB College of Business in Des Moines with aspirations of being a Court Recorder. On May 3, 1959, Karen married the love of her life and partner for over 62 years, Donald (Don) Dean Jordison at the First Christian Church in Fort Dodge. Later the same year, they moved to Iowa City where she worked at the University of Iowa Hospital and at Randall Grocery Store. Karen put her career on hold to support Don as he attended the University of Iowa to become a Civil Engineer. During her time off work, Karen forged relationships with realtors while purchasing rental property to help subsidize their income. She had a strong work ethic and enjoyed managing the properties, handling the upkeep and performing groundwork. Following Don’s graduation in 1963, the family moved to Ames, Iowa. At this time, Karen pursued her interest in sales and managed both Bobby Rogers and Siefert’s in retail for over 16 years. During this time in Karen’s life, she and Don made lifelong friends who stayed close for over 50 years. She loved participating in Card Club, bowling, sewing, enjoying wine-time, camping and baking; plus, she treasured time with Don, their children, grandchildren and dogs. Karen later retired in 1991, and was able to travel to many of her favorite destinations which included the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Hawaiian Islands, Italy and several states. Following Don’s retirement in 2005, they wintered in Mesa, Arizona for 10 years. Most recently, Karen and Don lived of Edencrest at Green Meadows in Johnston, IA.
One of Karen’s proudest accomplishments was her three children, Craig, Kirk and Jeanette, who followed in their mother’s footsteps of being loving, strong-willed and outgoing individuals. Karen will be forever remembered by her friends and family as fiercely independent, high spirited, funny, care-free and extremely loyal. She forged friendships that will forever remain. Karen was also known for her coffee cake, Pepper-Oreo name calling, laughter, white wine, love of sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, music, stories when she met Bob Hope and had her picture taken with President George H. W. Bush, along with tales of her younger years and the bond she shared with her father.
Karen is survived by her husband, Don, of 62 years. Her sons, Craig and wife Lisa of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Kirk and wife Kelly of Ankeny, IA. Her son-in-law, Daniel Kirsch of Ames, IA. Her eight grandchildren, Adrian, Adam, Cooper, Tyler, Austin, Jared, Jeremy and Jackson along with eight great-grandchildren, Gavin, Bella, Elise, Nash, Avery, Sterling, Tripp, and Graham. Her brother, Gary Crouse (Mt. Sterling, IL); sister-in-law’s, Donna Crouse (Omaha, NE), Mary Jordison (Nevada, IA) and Jana Fawcett and husband Rick (Duncombe, IA); brother-in-law, Ron Jordison and wife Rosalie (Coral Springs, FL) along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Karen is preceded in death by her only daughter Jeanette Kirsh; parents, Melbourne and Ida Crouse; in-laws, Leonard and Glendoris Jordison; brother, Bob Crouse; sister, Phyllis Strom and husband Doc (Duane); sister-in-law, Linda Crouse; brother-in-law, Leonard (Bub) Jordison and an infant sister-in-law, Joyce Jordison.
Karen’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, December 11th at Stevens Memorial Chapel in Ames, from 10:30am – 11:30am. Funeral services will begin at 11:30am with Randy Ehrhardt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association. Please make donations online at https://www.alz.org/.
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