Meier, Karla Key

Karla Kay Meier, 49, of Marion, died of malignant melanoma March 19, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Services: 11 a.m. today at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank, with the Rev. Harry Koelker officiating.

Survivors include her mother, Marion Meier, Fairbank; three brothers, John (Darlene) Meier, Hazleton, David (Barbara) Meier, Decorah, and Chris Meier, Greenville, Wis.; six sisters, Joann (Dennis) Covert, Davenport, Dianne (Bob) Clark, Dorchester, Patricia Curley, Fairbank, Annette (Kevin) Niebuhr, Dunkerton, Madonna (Bryan) Welsh, Fairbank, and Michele (Alan) Blekeberg, Ridgeway; 25 nephews and nieces; 15 great-nephews and great-nieces; and many uncles, aunts, cousins and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, William in 1975; and one great-nephew.

Born May 3, 1961, in Waverly, Iowa, she was the daughter of William and Marion (Anhalt) Meier. She was married to David Watson for 10 years. During that time, they raised his nephew and niece, Nick and Hannah Baumgarten.

Karla graduated from Wapsie Valley High School in 1979 and the University of Northern Iowa in 1986, with a B.A. degree in interior design. She was an account representative at Pioneer Workspace Solutions in Cedar Rapids.

Karla had a wide variety of interests, including decorating, traveling, entertaining and spending time with family and friends. Karla was the epitome of grace, poise, generosity, determination, warmth and unconditional love.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy or to her family.

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