Karen C. Jacobsen

Karen Colleen Jacobsen, age 82, of Coon Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at her home in rural Coon Rapids surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at Alive Church in Coon Rapids, Iowa at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 25, 2026 with Pastor Ben Kolars officiating. Casket bearers will be Steve Jacobsen, Garrett Jacobsen, Maxen Derry, Lea Derry, Jazmine Butrymowicz, Sierra Anderson, Jerry Lee, and Richard Bray.

Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids on Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. The casket will be moved to the church at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday morning where visitation will resume until 10:45 A.M.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Karen was born on March 15, 1944, at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, Iowa, and she was the daughter of Harry “Bing” Lyons Jr. and Clara Gute. She attended rural school south of Coon Rapids until the 5th grade before attending the Coon Rapids Community Schools graduating with the Class of 1962. On December 8, 1963 she was united in marriage to Ron Jacobsen at the Christian Church in Coon Rapids. They were blessed with 4 children: Brenda, Steve, Jo, and Jana. Karen was employed at Garst and Thomas Company in Coon Rapids for several years. Karen and Ron then started Ron’s Plumbing and Heating in Coon Rapids which they owned and operated for 8 years before selling the business in 1981. She then was employed at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids as an Administrative Assistant for a few years. The couple then made their home in Audubon in 1983 where she worked for The Friendship Home for 21 years. In 2002, they moved to Ames where they managed an apartment complex for 5 years before returning to Coon Rapids in 2007. They then started the 5th Ave Diner in Coon Rapids which they owned and operated until they sold the business in 2012 when she retired.

Karen was a member of Alive Church in Coon Rapids. She was also a member of the Orange Township Needle Club. Karen enjoyed quilting, cooking, baking, and tending to her large flower gardens. She was also very supportive of Autism and LGBTQ+ awareness. In her spare time, she loved to play competitive games including scrabble and card games with pinochle and crummy rummy being her favorites, but most of all she cherished the time spent with her family.

Karen is survived by her husband Ron Jacobsen of Coon Rapids; children: Steve Jacobsen (Tif) of LaGrange, GA, Jo Lee (Jerry) of Apache Junction, AZ, and Jana Derry of Coon Rapids; grandchildren: Jazmine Butrymowicz (Dallas) (lovingly raised by Karen and Ron) and their children Sierra, Mia, and Phoebe all of Mesa, AZ, Kate Bray (Richard) and their children Kinslee and Kaylee all of LaGrange, GA, Bailey Jacobsen of Birmingham, AL, Garrett Jacobsen of Birmingham, AL; Lea Jacob Derry of Coon Rapids, and Maxen Parker Derry of Coon Rapids; brother Paul Lyons (Donna) of Carroll, IA; sister-in-law Linda Lyons of Carroll; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Karen is preceded in death by her daughter Brenda Jacobsen; great grandson Braxton Bray; her parents; parents-in-law Jake and Clara Jacobsen; brother Arnie Lyons; half-brother Jim Lyons; and sister-in-law Marj Jacobsen.