Karen J. Kleese, age 70, of Washington died Thursday December 17, 2009 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City following a sudden illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 am Monday, December 21st at the United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kitch Shatzer officiating. Visitation will begin 11:00 am Sunday at the Jones - Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Sunday. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for the United Presbyterian Church in Washington or the Central Park Senior Center. Online condolences may be sent to Karen's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Karen was born on September 8, 1939 in Moline, Illinois the daughter of Douglas M. and Jessie Hoover (Crone). Karen attended school in Washington and graduated from Washington High School in 1957. She later attended the Burlington Beauty Academy in Burlington, Iowa where she received her Cosmetology training. Karen was united in marriage to William Kleese on September 21, 1958 in Washington, Iowa.

Karen was a hairdresser at the Washington Care Center for 27 years retiring in 2002. She previously worked as a hairdresser for Don and Ethel Dayton.

She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church where she was active in many activities. Karen was a deacon of the church for nine years. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She was an active volunteer at the Central Park Senior Center and volunteered with the Presbyterian Church to help with disaster relief following Hurricane Katrina.

Karen is survived daughter Lori Miller and husband Sheldon of Wayland, Iowa; daughter Karla Tjelmeland and husband Kreg of Ely, Iowa; son Philip Kleese of Washington, Iowa; daughter Nanci Hosick and husband Neil of Sharon, Pennsylvania; ten grandchildren including Josh and Jeremy Miller, Nathan, Lucas, Travis, Kayla and Alex Tjelmeland, Tyler Ayers, Will and Maryn Hosick; and two great grandchildren Mason and Clayton Miller. She is also survived by two sisters, Kathy Crone Anderson and husband Dean of Pine River; Minnesota; Karma Hanson and husband Roger of Washington, Iowa; and four brothers, Kenneth Crone of Pine River, Minnesota; Jerry Crone of Glendive, Montana; Doug Crone of Washington, Iowa and Allen Crone and wife Stephanie of Olathe, Kansas; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2007, and one brother, Keith.