VAN HORNE: Karen Mae Pieper, 86, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab in Vinton surrounded by family.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Van Horne, Iowa. To be followed by a funeral service held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026 with Pastor David Lingard officiating. A luncheon will be held after the service at the church, followed by interment at Radcliffe Cemetery in Radcliffe, Iowa approximately at 2:00 p.m.

Karen was born on November 7, 1939, in Wells, Minnesota, to Elmer and Mildred (Neidig) Horman. She was baptized in the Christian faith at a young age as a Methodist and again after adult appreciation as a Lutheran. She graduated from Wells Highschool on May 31st, 1957. She fell in love and married to Donald Hodnefield on September 10th, 1960, at Wells Methodist Church in Wells, Minnesota. Together they were blessed with their three children. After the loss of Donald, she remarried later in life to Harold Pieper on November 19th, 1989, at Salem Lutheran Church in Roland, Iowa.

Karren was a force to be reckoned. Having many skills throughout her life she shared her talents in many ways. She was most remembered for working at the Buckeye CO-OP and the Scenic Manor Care Facility as an activity’s coordinator in Iowa Falls. During the summers she loved involving her grandchildren in resident games, music, and exercise programs. When she became a resident herself, she would often say, “I’ve already done all that. Let the old people do it.” It was well known to not ask her to play bingo. She enjoyed many genres of music, puzzles, playing cards, horror movies, people watching, tending to plants or eating vegetables right off the vine, watching television, decorating, enjoying the outdoors, and shocking people with what she would say next.

Many of the fond memories she would recall included one or more of her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. She loved talking about her life on the farm, sitting by the fireplace since it was never warm enough, asking about her children’s day, scratching the backs of her grandchildren while they impatiently waited in line, hosted Grandma week during the summers, reading bedtime stories to her grandchildren, and kissing the bottoms of every great-grandchild she was blessed with.

She had a talent for shopping, often finding yet another owl for her collection or unique Christmas gift for the family to question from QVC or a local thrift store. Many enjoyed her abundant jewelry collection that would match her festive outfit for every occasion imaginable.

Karen had a strong love for animals that started at a young age. Large or small it did not matter to her. Any animal would always brighten her day. This is a love that she has passed down through her family tree. She enjoyed feeding her local birds and squirrels, the company of her personal pets, video calling her grand and great-grand dogs and cats, meeting the newest baby born on the farm, or simply being on the listening end of the phone for hours in the choring barn.

Above all Karen cherished her faith and her family. She always found a way to be an active member in the church. Throughout her life she served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and aided within the missionary. She was never shy to share her deep appreciation for her savior. Karen may have accumulated many trinkets and clothing during her time on this earth but her most prized possession was her family. She missed her deceased loved ones, loved her children dearly, fiercely cherished her grandchildren, and outright bragged about her great-grandchildren to anyone who would listen. Being an only child, she was aways grateful for the loved ones she was surround by and often reminded family to cherish each other while they can.

Those remaining to cherish her memory include her daughter, Teri Walker; her sons, Brent (Christy) Hodnefield and Cory (Alicia) Hodnefield; her grandchildren, Desiray (Kyle Maas) Walker, Dean (Alexis) Pieper, Arial (Bryce) Hasley, Jamie Koopman, and Brice (Katelyn) Hodnefield; and 13 great-grandchildren; along with other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Mildred; her husband’s, Donald Hodnefield and Harold Pieper; and son-in-law Randy Walker; along with many cherished pets.

Karen’s family would like to thank the staff at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab for all the love and support that was provided over the past few years. You have been a second family and we are eternally grateful.

Online condolences at Phillipsfuneralhomes.com.