Karen Casey

Karen M. Casey, 62, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Atlantic, died Friday, February 27, 2015, at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa.

She was born in Greenfield, Iowa, on April 21, 1952, the daughter of Oluf and Dorothy Petersen Neilsen. She grew up on the Circle N Ranch in Messina and Cumberland, Iowa. She graduated from the Griswold High School with the class of 1970. On August 18, 1970, she was united in marriage to Randy Grover in Cass County, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Donnie, Cliff, and Tina. Karen and Randy later divorced. She worked as a nurse’s aide in care facilities for many years in western Iowa. She also cleaned houses in the Council Bluffs area. In 2001, she was in an accident that forced her to retire. In 2014, she moved from Council Bluffs to Oskaloosa to be closer to her daughter. She enjoyed shopping, gardening and watching television. She delighted in spending time with her grandchildren.

Her family includes two sons: Donnie (Renee) Grover of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Cliff Grover of Des Moines, Iowa; a daughter: Tina (Scott) Van Engelenhoven of Oskaloosa; 6 grandchildren: Victoria and Richard Grover, Haileigh Hecker, Tyler Montalvo, Kimber Van Engelenhoven and Piper Van Engelenhoven; her sister, Mary Lou Smith of Atlantic; longtime companion, Don Nelson of Council Bluffs; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Ken Nielsen; and two sisters, Ellen Zellmer and Betty Bruner.

As was Karen’s wish, her body has been cremated and no visitation is planned. A private family life celebration ceremony will be held at a later date. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements, and assisted by Roland Funeral Service.