Karen Jean (Hinrichs) Smith, Cedar Rapids, IA, on September 28th, 2024, passed after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on July 3, 1940, in Anamosa, Iowa to John and Johanna (Thompson) Hinrichs. Karen graduated from Onslow High School in 1958 and later attended Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids to become a licensed Cosmetologist. Karen started her career working at a salon in Mount Vernon, IA and met Roger Smith a short time later. The couple married on October 14, 1962, and moved to Mechanicsville where Roger was working for the bank. Roger and Karen had three children shortly after: Ross, Kimberly, and Kristen.
Roger’s new position at the First State Bank brought the family to Nora Springs in 1970, where Karen resided until 2020. Karen quickly became a pillar of the community and lived a life of service. In 1971, she was on the committee that opened the first pre-school in Nora Springs, was a Cub Scout leader for two years, and helped the girls with their many 4-H projects. Karen was on the steering committee that formed the Nora Springs Ambulance Service in 1980, where she was also an EMT-A for 10 years. In 2003, she advised on the reorganization and relaunch of the service.
Family was a huge focus for Karen. She rarely missed a basketball, volleyball or other sporting event her children were involved in and encouraged them to pursue other activities such as music and the arts to round out their education. Karen instilled the importance of giving back to your community and the results are reflected in the adults her children are today.
Karen was strong in her faith and an active member of Eden Presbyterian Church where she served as Elder, Deacon, Trustee, and was on the flower committee for many years. She also assisted fellow congregant Katie Apel with rides and meals as her health declined. All this while being an entrepreneur and mother. After working at Harriet’s salon for many years, she ventured on her own and opened Uniquely You Salon in 1985. Karen continued to do hair and take care of her ladies up until her retirement – 43 years total.
Flowers were a passion of Karen’s, and she was an avid gardener. Most Saturdays she could be found tending to the plants in the yard. Many of the arrangements she created for Eden Presbyterian Church contained flowers that came from her own flower and hosta beds. Her expertise was when she served on the committee that developed the gardens at the Nora Springs Care Center while Roger was a resident there. Karen also enjoyed oil painting and bird watching, and spending time with her many friends.
Karen is survived by Ross (Christine) Smith, Kimberly (Chad) Anderson, and Kristen (Michael) Dupont, grandchildren Shelby Smith, Kyle Smith, Tyler Dupont (fiancé, Audrey Dempewolf), and Andrew Dupont (special friend, Abigail Santana). She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Smith, her parents John and Johanna Hinrichs, her siblings Robert Hinrichs and Joyce Davis.
A celebration of Karen’s life will take place Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, at Eden Presbyterian Church, 3105 Glass Ave., Rudd, IA, with visitation at 9am and service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Keystones of Cedar Rapids for their garden fund or Nora Springs Care Center for their garden fund.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at The Keystones of Cedar Rapids Independent Living, The Cedars at Keystone Assisted Living, and St. Croix Hospice for the amazing care they provided Karen during her last few months.
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