Karen Lee Stevenson, 87, of Malcom, IA passed away on May 1, 2026, at the Mayflower Community in Grinnell, IA.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on May 7, 2026, at Smith Funeral Home in Brooklyn, IA.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, on May 8, 2026, at Smith Funeral in Brooklyn, IA. A graveside service will be held following the funeral service at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Malcom, IA followed by luncheon at Grinnell Eagles Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made payable to the Karen Stevenson Memorial Fund, mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

The daughter of Virgil Rothrock Johnson and Audra Evelyn (Harden) Johnson was born on August 3, 1938, in Deep River, Iowa. She was raised in Deep River, attended school there and graduated with the class of 1955.

Following her graduation, she worked at her parents drive in restaurant in Grinnell, DeLongs Sportswear and for Lyle Goodwin Insurance Agency.

Karen was married to Glenn Stevenson on November 28, 1958, at the Grinnell Methodist Church. The couple made their home in Grinnell where Glenn taught at the Grinnell-Newburg Schools. They moved to Toledo, Parkersburg, and Brooklyn where her husband taught school. They later moved to rural Malcom until buying a home in town in Malcom on November 1, 2001.

She worked at Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA), where she served 9 years on the MICA board, and 8 years on the MICA board of directors. In later years, she enjoyed singing with Janet Rauch, accompanied by Arlene Rauch. She sang with Jack Baker and was accompanied by Vonda Netser at Senior Meal sites, nursing homes, hospitals, and some wedding dances.

Karen enjoyed socializing with her family and friends and loved all sports her children and grandchildren participated in and seldom missed a game.

She is survived by her children, Jim (Deb Tharp) Stevenson, Kenneth Stevenson, Tammy (Troy) Long, Kelly Stevenson, Angie (Greg) Thompson, and Kristy (Rod) Cooling, her grandchildren, Zachary Stevenson, Jaimee Stevenson, Colby (Heather) Stevenson, Amanda (David) Stevenson, Cody Stevenson, Christopher (Tori) Long, Michael (Ashley) Long, Darren (McKenna) Thompson, Cierra Thompson, Jade Cooling, Amber Cooling, and Shaylee Cooling, great grandchildren, Ryleigh, Haylei, Kahlyr, Peyton, Chloe, Mason, Kailynn, Carter, Bobby, Hudson, Brooks, Reese, Cooper, Rhett and Tucker.

She is preceded by her parents, Virgil and Audra Johnson, her husband Glenn Stevenson, sister Kathleen Bahrenfuse, brother-in-law, Raymond Bahrenfuse, and an infant granddaughter, Courtney Diane Stevenson.