A funeral service for Karen K. Kamradt was held Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Sanborn. Fr. Kevin Richter and Fr. Tim Hogan officiated.

Pallbearers were Nicole Shandley, Dustin Biedenfeld, Jenna Biedenfeld, Tayler Tatman, Sarah Lindstrom, Chance Tatman, Payton Kamradt and Travis Kamradt. Interment was in St. Cecilia’s Catholic Cemetery at Sanborn. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Karen Kay Kamradt was born Oct. 28, 1938 in Hartley, the oldest child of John and Seraphine A. (Zensen) McCarty. She grew up in rural Royal, attending school there and graduating with the Class of 1957. While in high school she was honored to be part of the team that made two trips to the Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament held in Des Moines.

Karen became the bride of Richard H. “Dick” Kamradt on April 6, 1960, while he was serving his country at the Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Ill. Shortly after their marriage they were transferred to Lubbock, Texas, and remained there until Dick’s honorable discharge in April of 1961. Upon returning to Iowa, they made their first home in Moneta where Dick was engaged in farming with his father. They would farm in the Sutherland and Everly area until moving in 1970 to their present location near Archer. They would call that place “home” for the remainder of their married life and raise their five children there.

Life as a farmwife and caring for her family kept Karen’s days pretty full, yet at 52 years of age she managed to earn her AA degree in nursing and was employed as a nurse at Baum Harmon Hospital in Primghar until her retirement in 2008.

In the summer months the family tried to spend as much time as they could at their lake cabin, but in the winter she and Dick would leave the snow and cold behind and head to Bullhead City, Ariz. They enjoyed traveling together, visiting with family and friends and of course, were always ready for a wild game of cards. Keeping up with her grandkids’ activities was important to Karen and watching them participate was always a highlight.

Karen belonged to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Primghar and the VFW Eagles Club.

Karen passed from this life on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at the age of 85 years. Preceding her were her husband, Dick (2015); her son, Steve Kamradt; grandson, Brian Shandley; her parents, John and Seraphine McCarty; in-laws; August and Anita Kamradt; her brother and his wife, Jerry and Karen McCarty; and a brother-in-law, Lee Brody.

Keeping her memory close in heart are her children: Deb (TJ) Shandley, of Winter, Wis.; Dawn (Doug) Biedenfeld, of Peterson; Sheila (John) Tatman, of Spencer; Brad (Angie) Kamradt, of Sanborn, and Lee (Dave) Lisko, of Bennington, Neb.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters: Judy Pingel, of Spencer; Janet (Jim) Pittmann, of Alexandria, S.D.; and Gail (Dale) Looft, of Montgomery, Minn.; other relatives and friends.