KAREN K. THOMPSON, 63

Karen K. Thompson, 63, died Oct. 19, 2008, at the Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen, Iowa.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Oct. 25, at the United Methodist Church of Gretna. Inurnment was at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Coleridge.

Karen Kathleen “Kathy” Alter was born Sept. 26, 1945 in Omaha to Frank and Karen (Gottschalck) Alter. She graduated from Westside High School.

In September of 1967, she married George M. Thompson in Omaha. The couple moved to Coleridge in 1973, where she operated the “Potting Shed,” from her home, specializing in garden and bedding plants.

She later was employed by Goldenrod Hills in Wisner, a community action organization. This work inspired her to take classes at Wayne State College where, in 1993, she graduated with a bachelor of science in social work. After receiving her degree, she began counseling at the Boys and Girls Home in Sioux City, Iowa, until 1996. She enjoyed working with youth and was well-known and respected for her work with them. Over the years, she worked in many facets of human services in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Arkansas. In January of 2007, her failing health forced her to resign. She had moved to the Happy Siesta Care Center in June of 2008.

She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Coleridge and belonged to the Altar Society. She was a pro-life advocate. She was involved in Cursillo in Norfolk.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She liked dogs, sheep, and showing her horses, listening to music, crafts, and sewing. In her early years, she was a Girl Scout leader for her daughters.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Dan Deichmann of Marcus, Iowa; Heather and Jason Berg of Gretna; and son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Sara Thompson of Omaha; six grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Polly Alter of Fort Calhoun; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; brother and sister-in-law, Rich and Shirley Alter.