BOONE, Iowa—Karen Joyce (Madden) Michel, age 81, passed away on January 13, 2022 at home with her family by her side.

Karen was born in Boone, Iowa, on December 18, 1940, to Howard Madden and Erma (Knight) Madden. The second of two children, Karen grew up and lived in Boone all her life.

During the summer of 1957, Karen caught Floyd Michel’s eye at a local hamburger drive-in where she worked. She graduated from Boone High School in 1959 and attended the local community college. Karen and Floyd were married on February 11, 1961. In 1962, they welcomed their son, Jeff, followed by their daughter, Mishelle, in 1969.

Karen worked at Rolfs out of high school and later at Bournes Inc. in Ames. Her favorite job turned career was the Boone County Flyer, now known as the Shopping News where she was hired by Jan and Verne Carmen when they opened the doors. She wore many hats at the Shopper and eventually ran the Shopping News for Van Drie Enterprises until she left in 1996. Karen then became the accountant at the Iowa State Daily until she retired. Karen was not only a co-worker but also a confidant and friend to those she worked with. Her friendships with those she worked with continued long after she retired.

Like her mother, Karen was known simply as one of the kindest, gentlest souls. She always had a smile on her face and a way to make you feel at ease in her presence. She had a graceful way of giving advice. Always subtle and kind with a touch of her own experience.

Karen and Floyd loved to spend time together. They built two homes together and remodeled their retirement home many times. They worked and played many years together at the Boone, Hamilton, and Crawford County Race Tracks. Floyd was the flagman and Karen was the head scorer and helped with payout in the pit shack. Karen was ahead of her time when it came to scoring race cars as they completed each lap. In the 1960’s she began using her 10 key adding machine with a tape to score the cars as they came by for each lap. They spent many days and nights at the racetrack and made numerous friends and enjoyed time with family that also had a love for racing.

Many summers were spent at the Skyline Camp on Florence Lake and Tall Pines Camp on Lake Wabaskang in Perrault Falls, Ontario, Canada. This was Karen and Floyd’s favorite place in this world to be. She was so fortunate to be able to share her favorite place with her husband, kids, parents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. She treasured her memories of Canada and has many pictures that she was able to look back at.

Karen and Floyd also had a love of antiques and would be on the road all over the Midwest trying to find that special item that caught their eye. Karen collected Fiesta dishware many years ago and was always on the hunt for a copper dove-tailed teapot or a unique glass basket.

Karen and Floyd enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona with Jeff and Amy. She loved to experience new adventures and was always up to trying new foods. She loved salmon with capers and cream cheese and all the new dishes Amy introduced to her.

Most of all, Karen loved her family. Whether she was talking to them on the phone or sitting at her kitchen counter. She loved to receive texts, phone calls, and emails. Her happiest moments were when she was with any of her family. We will all remember dinners with her when she made fried chicken, potato salad, and chocolate cake. She loved her husband, kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids with all of her heart.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, brother Darrell Madden and nephew Brian Nelson.

Karen is survived by her husband, Floyd of nearly 61 years, son, Jeff Michel (Amy); two grandchildren Mallory (Michel) Quant (Savannah) of Shakopee, MN and Bryce Michel (Jesica) of Ankeny IA; and two great-grandchildren Adalee and Mia Michel; daughter, Mishelle Franklin (Tony); three grandchildren: Alicia Howell (Aaron), Kelsey Franklin, and Ryley Franklin of Boone, IA; two great-grandchildren, Knox, and Boden Howell; sister in law Phyllis Madden; niece Susan Nelson; nephew Mike Madden (Jane) and many other family members.

Her body was cremated. A memorial celebration of Karen’s life will be announced this spring.

Memorials can be made to the Mackey Community Preservation Fund for the preservation of the Mackey School.

Online Condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com

The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home at 609 7th Street, Boone is assisting the family with these arrangements.

Karen Michel, 81, Boone, Iowa