Karen Virginia Hempen, 77, of Argyle, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at her
home.
Karen was born on April 12, 1947, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Kenneth Earl and Arlene
(Walker) Shutt. She graduated from Keokuk High School in 1965, and went on to attend Trinity
College in Deerfield, Illinois. On August 27, 1966, she was united in marriage to Roger Charles
Hempen in Keokuk, Iowa. He preceded her in death on September 13, 2023.
Karen was extremely patriotic and a political advocate for the Republican Party. She was an
accomplished pianist, serving as lead pianist at her church at the young age of thirteen and
continuing playing throughout her life. She was also family-oriented and loved her family
passionately. Karen stayed active and enjoyed cycling, riding in RAGBRI in her forty’s.
Karen loved the Lord Jesus Christ. As a young girl, after hearing the truth of the gospel, God
brought her to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. This was evidenced by the way she lived her
life in obedience to God’s Word, walking in humble love for her Savior.
Karen left a lasting legacy that is evident still in her loved ones. Her desire above all would be
that her family and friends would come to the saving knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.”
John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not
see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him”.
Karen is survived by her son Kenny (Tracy) Hempen of Argyle; daughter, Tonya (Chuck) O’Neal
of Hillsboro, Oregon; grandchildren: Courtney (Ethan) Wollbrink, Kenny (Carissa) Hempen, Jr.,
Jennifer (Kevin) Skarin, Josiah (Lena) Hempen, Luke Hempen, Abigail Hempen, Audrey Hempen
and Lydia Hempen, Charlie (Presleigh) O’Neal, Jordanna (Kale) Kiaunis, Joshua O’Neal and Karen
O’Neal; great-grandchildren: Henry, Kate, Mary and Amelia Wollbrink, Ruth, Evelyn and Roger
Hempen, Julia, David, Andrew and Joshua Skarin, Samantha, Cora, Hazel and Carl O’Neal and
Roger and Emma Kiaunis; her sister Janet (Vernon-deceased) Rosenau and her brother Doug
Shutt.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roger Hempen and her sister Linda
Ellison.
According to her wishes, a private family burial will be held at the family farm in Argyle, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the family of Karen Hempen (In care of Kenny Hempen) for the
great-grandchildren’s education fund.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.
Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.