Karen Ray Vilmont, age 72, of Eldridge, Iowa, formerly of Washington, passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at her residence following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor Jack Bonham officiating. Visitation will begin 12:00 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2015 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery in Brighton, Iowa. A general memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent for Karen's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Karen was born March 15, 1943 in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Lee and Gertrude Minnie Elizabeth (Morgan) Wallace. She was united in marriage to Tom Vilmont on August 4, 1979 in Clinton, Iowa.

She graduated from Crawfordsville High School and was a member of Church of Christ in Washington. She was a bartender in the Quad Cities and a Caregiver in Washington where she also was a volunteer guardian for handicapped adults for 17 years. She was a crafty person who was liked by all who met her. Karen was the life of the party and had a heart bigger than she was.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Becky Wiley and husband Jeff of Parkview, Iowa; daughter, Carrie Sexton of Davenport, Iowa; granddaughter, Courtney Sullivan and husband Jason of Port Byron, Illinois; granddaughter, Shaylen Striley and husband Todd of Clinton, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Finley and Ryder Sullivan and Faith Striley and Baby Striley, expected soon; and many greatly loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer Rotenburger; husband, Tom Vilmont in 2011; and sisters, Mildred Moore, twin, Sharon Hole, and Linda Keasling.