Karen Louise Van Zandt was born on July 4, 1953, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Hubert and Violet (Stoneburner) Phillips.
Karen spent her early life in the Fort Dodge area.
On March 15, 1969, she married Thomas Rowley, and to this union three children were born, Tina, Thomas Jr. and Jeffery Rowley. This marriage ended in July 1977.
Karen moved to Nebraska for a brief period, and she then moved back to Garden Grove, Iowa, where she met and married Paul Van Zandt on April 12, 1997. To this union she gained four more children, Tim, Paula, Nancy and Deanna.
Karen worked at Siemens Energy Automation until they closed their doors in 2001. Karen and Paul then moved to Des Moines, where she worked many different jobs.
Karen enjoyed many things throughout life, but her greatest pleasure would always
be her kids and grandchildren.
Karen is survived by her husband, Paul; daughter, Tina Lara; sons, Thomas Jr., and Jeff
Rowley; daughters, Paula, Nancy and Deanna; sister, Kathy Wendel; and brother, Lee
Phillips; 23 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Hubert and Violet Phillips; infant brother,
Michael; brother, Larry; son, Tim; great-nephew, Casey; and great-great-nephews, Harley
and Jaxon; grandparents, Glen and Myrtle Stoneburner and Sheldon and Clara Phillips.
Memorials can be made to the family as cremation has taken place with a memorial and
services to follow at a later date.
