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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Karen Kay Schmitz
Karen Kay Schmitz
Marion
Karen Kay Schmitz, 71, of Marion, Iowa, hastened her death on June 1, 2022, after living with cancer for eight years. Educated by Final Exit Network, she chose her date of death.
Born Oct. 17, 1950, Karen worked as a secretary, nanny and school van driver.
Survived by a son, of whom she was most proud, Ronald Chilton, 42, of Stafford, Va., and his most loved daughters, Alyssa, Allison and Emma. Ronald is married to Lindsay. Karen also claimed Brianna and Lucas, children of Ronald's ex wife.
Karen is also survived by siblings, Jerry and Ann of Buckeye, Ariz., Sally and Dennis of Cedar Rapids, Phyllis and Larry of Cedar Rapids, Steven and Rost of Medford, Minn.; along with several nieces and nephews.
Karen was loved by many friends. A most amazing relationship was those with Joyce Sandrock of Cedar Rapids since 1987, Laurie Rath of North Liberty since 1988 and Bette Huntington of Cedar Rapids since 1995.
If a bright hummingbird lingers, it may be Karen.
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