Karen Hoeksema, 68, of Grinnell, died on Friday, February 25, 2022, at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Cremation was provided by the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell and a celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be designated in her name to benefit local organizations and may be mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with her family online at www.smithfh.com. Karen Beth Hoeksema was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa on January 22, 1954, to Fred and Zetta (Weinke) Hoeksema. She was raised in Pella and Otley , and Gilman until she was a junior in high school. The family moved to Rock Creek Lake near Kellogg and Karen attended and graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1972. Karen moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin shortly after high school and she worked for a local boutique store and later in the security department of a chemical manufacturing plant. She moved back to Grinnell in her retirement and resided with her sister, Mickey Pickens. Her enjoyments were crafting, woodworking, shopping, and visiting with her classmates and friends. Karen is survived by her sister, Mickey Pickens of Grinnell; half-sister, Judy (Virgil) Chance of Kellogg; and her aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by her parents.