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Karen Ann Nelson
KAREN ZENDER NELSON
Solon
Karen Zender Nelson, 79, died Tuesday, Aug, 14, 2018, at home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Rudolph Juarez officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery. The family will greet friends after 9:30 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Friends of the Animal Center Foundation.
Karen was born Aug. 16, 1938, in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Victor and Marcella Emma Stabel Zender.
Karen was a hairdresser for many years and was employed in food service at West High School. She enjoyed time spent doing crossword puzzles. Most important to Karen were her family, nieces and nephews.
Survivors include her best friend of 36 years, Diane Thiltgen; her children, Blaine Nelson of Swisher and Kristin Johnson of Solon; three grandchildren, Jesse and Kalie Johnson and Nicholas Nelson; great-granddaughter, Arya Johnson; brother, Vic (Donna) Zender of West Branch; and nieces and nephews, Chelsie Schuster, Zach Zender, Katie Bogie and Mark Stevens.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Julie Stevens.
Online condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com.
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