May 31, 1940 – March 10, 2026
Karen Kay Olinger Christiansen (Simmer), 85, of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, at Heritage Care Center in Mason City, Iowa.
Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the family.
Karen Kay Simmer was born on May 31, 1940, in Perry, Iowa, the daughter of Donald Sr. and Margaret (Rosander) Simmer. She later graduated from Dolliver High School in Estherville. Shortly after high school, she married Merle Olinger, and together they welcomed two daughters. After Merle’s passing, Karen later married Robert Christiansen.
In her younger years, Karen held several different jobs. When her daughters were born, she chose to devote her time to raising her family and caring for their home. As the years went on, she opened an in-home daycare, where she cared for her grandsons and for children. She also worked for a time at Woodharbor.
Karen enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She loved going for car rides, working on puzzles and word books, and spending time in her garden. Her flower beds were something she took great pride in, especially the marigolds she planted to keep the critters away. She loved growing vegetables and canning them, often preparing large family meals from what she grew. Cooking for family was one of her great joys, and she never quite knew when to stop, there was always more than enough, and no one ever left her table hungry.
During the winter months, Karen could often be found peeling dried walnuts by hand, leaving her fingers stained black. The effort always paid off when the walnuts made their way into her homemade banana nut bread.
Karen was a private woman who enjoyed being outdoors, often walking around barefoot and quickly picking up a warm summer tan. She was known for her quiet determination and stoic stubbornness, along with her deep devotion to her family. As a homemaker, she built a strong bond with her children, sometimes even taking them fishing, despite not being particularly fond of the water herself. That love only grew as her family expanded. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Tina (Will) Winters and Barbara Beck; step-daughter, Dawn Olinger; grandchildren, James (Ashley) Boehnke, Theodore (Shanda) Boehnke, Travis Beck, Aaron Beck, Kate Johns, and Tristan Johns; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Dixie (Larry) Haugen, Sandy Katz, Francis Simmer, Dale Simmer, Robert Simmer, Tim Simmer, and Tom Simmer; sister-in-lawn Paula Simmer and one who was like a sister, Doneta Pedelty; and brother-in-law, David (Alice) Christiansen, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald Sr. and Margaret Simmer; her husbands, Merle Olinger and Robert Christiansen; brothers, Paul, Donald Jr., Fredrick, Dennis, Larry, and Richard; step-daughter, Dixie Olinger; and sisters-in-law, Colleen Simmer and Michelle “Shelley” Simmer.
colonialchapels.com