Karen was born on June 29, 1938, in Vinton, Iowa to Clyde and Roxie Hall O'Hara. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1956. She was married to Charles Stevens and the couple lived in Newton. She was a homemaker and also worked as a waitress in area restaurants. She also worked at Newton Manufacturing Company. She has resided in Grinnell since 1978. Karen enjoyed cooking, solving puzzles and watching old movies. She is survived by three sons, Chuck (Susan) Stevens of Newton, Jeffrey (LuAnn) Stevens of Grinnell and Gregory Stevens of Seattle, Washington; five grandchildren; one great grandson; and one sister, Colleen Keenan. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and two brothers, Richard and Thomas O'Hara. Memorials may be directed to St. Francis Manor or to Grinnell Regional Hospice and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.