Obituary of Karen Kay Wohlers

ASBURY, IOWA Karen Kay Young Wohlers, 72, of Asbury and formerly of Dyersville went home to be with Jesus at 4:03 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, at Heritage Manor in Dubuque after her second bout with cancer. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tues., Sept. 23, 2014, at the Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a V.F.W. Auxiliary Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friends and relatives may continue to call after 9:00 a.m. Wed., Sept. 24, at the Journey Assembly of God Church at 3939 Pennsylvania Ave. in Dubuque where a funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Bear Creek Cemetery in Brandon, IA. Karen was born May 15, 1942, in Garrison, IA the daughter of Milvoy and Emma (Jesina) Kaufman and grew up on the family farm near Garrison and attended the Garrison School. On Oct. 7, 1961, she was blessed in marriage to James A. Young at the Assembly of God Church in Vinton, IA. Together they had three children and they enjoyed being with their family, dancing, fishing, boating and church. In 1967 they moved from LaPorte City, IA to Dyersville, Iowa where Jim worked as a lineman for the telephone company. In later years they owned and operated Young Photography and Northeast Framing Company. Karen also worked as a CNA at Oakcrest Manor, Ruthie's Figurines, Dyersville Sports, Evers Grocery Store and the Ertl Company, all in Dyersville. At Ertl's she was a tour guide and driver for corporate visitors. She enjoyed the toy shows and all of the visitors they brought, to whom she opened her home. Karen then joined her husband, Jim, in their studio until his death in 1999. Karen was once again blessed in marriage on Oct. 25, 2003, to Donald R. Wohlers at at the Journey Assembly of God Church in Dubuque, IA where they both continued to worship and were very active, including going on a mission trip to Haiti. Karen and Don's marriage combined two families as one. They made their home in Dyersville until moving to Asbury in 2010. Karen and Don enjoyed their life and love deeply, playing cards, getting together with friends and family, and traveling to many states. She was a member of the Dyersville Federated Women's Club, the Gideon's Auxiliary and a life member of the Edward W. Lake V.F.W. Post 7736 Auxiliary. Karen will be missed by all who knew her. She was a joy-filled soul who brought a smile, love and a huge part of our Lord to everyone she met. When you met Karen it was apparent she was a God loving lady and her personality drew you closer to her. Her family was blessed the most by her abundant love, prayers, nurturing, teaching and constant smile, hugs and kisses. Those who are left to rejoice in the knowledge that she is at home with the Lord in Heaven are her husband, Donald Wohlers, children of both marriages: Christine and Luke Wohlers of Dyersville, Margie (Kevin) Wheeler of Mosinee, WI, Randy J. (Kathy) Young of Greeley, IA, and Cindy (Mike "Smiley") Kramer of Dyersville; 12 grandchildren: Jennifer Wohlers (Matt Gordon) of North Buena Vista, IA, Matthew Wohlers (Ashley Prier) and Tyler Wohlers (Timara Fuller), both of Dyersville, IA, Joshua (Ashley A.) Wheeler of Columbia, SC, Jonathan (Ashley D.) Wheeler of Sneads Ferry, NC, Jacob Wheeler (Hannah Albright) of Mosinee, WI, Joseph Wheeler of Albuquerque, NM, James A. Young of Cedar Falls, IA, Brittany Young of Ames, Craig Kramer (Sara Sarazin) and Curt Kramer (fiancé Amanda Conrad), both of Dyersville, Amanda (Chris) Steiner of Dubuque; 2 adorable great grandchildren: Taylor Wohlers and Samual Wheeler; in-laws: Marcella West of LaPorte City, IA, Patricia (Ronald) Allers of Holmen, WI, Loretta (Dennis) Sheffer of Brandon, IA, Judy (Mike) Devine of DeWitt, IA, Dale (Rita) Wohlers of Galena, IL and Wayne (Betty) Wohlers of Dubuque, IA; many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her parents-in-law, Robert and Hertha Young, her first husband, James A. Young, a brother, David Kaufman; Don's first wife, Janet Gerlich Wohlers, and in-laws, Wilbur West and Lynda Soenksen. We would like to thank Dr. Mark Herman and Dr. Joseph Compton, their nurses and staff, and the nurses and staff at Finley Hospital for ensuring Karen's comfort and happiness during her illness, to the nurses and staff at Heritage Manor for their care and compassion during Karen's short stay, and to the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for their support during Karen's final days. Thank you, also, to Craig Kramer and his staff at Kramer Funeral Home for helping to make this transition in our lives a bit more bearable.