Karen Kae Hyde, age 76, of Albert City passed away November 30, 2014 at the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Albert City, Iowa after losing her struggle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Albert City. Burial will be in the Fairfield Township Cemetery in Albert City. Visitation will take place Wednesday, December 3, 2014 from 4-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City. There will be an Order of Eastern Star Service at the funeral home beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements.

Karen Hyde, daughter of William and Lois (Bates) Johnson, was born on April 7, 1938 in Milford, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the faith at Excelsior Methodist Church in Lake Park, IA.

Karen attended school in Okoboji and graduated in 1955 from the Okoboji Township Consolidated School of rural Milford. Her college years were spent at Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, where she received her teaching certificate.

On August 9, 1957, Karen was united in marriage with her high-school sweetheart, Wayne, at the Union Memorial Church in Milford, IA. This union was blessed with two children, Marla and Bradley.

Marla followed in her mother’s footsteps by teaching in the Sioux Central Community School district for 32 years, and Bradley followed in his father’s footsteps in the farm-equipment business.

After college, Karen began her teaching career. She taught for thirteen years in Newell, Moneta, and Albert City as an elementary teacher. She also used her love of gardening, as she worked as a floral designer at the Albert City floral shop. This led to her becoming a statewide flower show judge.

Karen had many interests including her gardening, travel, and community activities. She especially enjoyed her time with Thursday Study Club, WELCA, Red Hat Society, and Garden Club. She spent many Monday mornings reading to the local nursing home residents. She sewed many port-a-caths and potato bags to help raise money for Eastern Star charities. Decorating Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and her home for holidays and special occasions was one of her special talents.

A special part of Karen’s life was her involvement in the Order of the Eastern Star organization. She held many offices throughout the years in both the Marathon and Laurens’ chapters. She was honored to spend five years as a grand officer for the state of Iowa. This love led her to become Iowa’s Worthy Grand Matron in 2012. Traveling the state and country for OES led to many cherished relationships and friendships.

Much of Karen’s life was spent attending her children and grandchildren’s events. She sat through many baseball, softball, football, basketball games, track meets, speech, drama, and drill team competitions over the years. She was particularly proud of her three new great-grandchildren. You could always find Karen with her family at her summer home in Okoboji.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Marla Huebner of Sioux Rapids, IA and her three children: Adam Huebner (Lisa, Delaina, Bode) and their son, Jax Huebner of Cherokee, IA, Kasey and Terri Huebner and their son, Kedrick of Spirit Lake, IA, and Kirsten Huebner of Peterson, IA; her son, Brad Hyde and his wife, Rhonda of Albert City, IA and their three children: Jennifer and Kyle Swenson and their son, Tate of Albert City, Joshua and Toni Hyde of Madrid, IA and Jace Hyde of Iowa City; her brothers, Bruce and Pat Johnson of Spencer, IA; Jerry and Betty Johnson of Vermillion, SD; her sister-in-law, Marie Hyde of Albuquerque, NM; other relatives and many loving nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Preceding Karen in death were her husband, Wayne Hyde, parents: William and Lois Johnson, her father and mother-in-law: Ray and Iola Hyde.