Karen B. Riekena

Karen B. Riekena, 85, of Wellsburg, IA, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her family. A visitation will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wellsburg. Interment will take place at the St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery following the visitation. Online condolences may be sent to www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Karen was born on March 20, 1940, in Grundy Center, IA to William and Bernice Koch. She grew up on the family farm in rural Wellsburg. Karen was one of eight children to the Koch family. She graduated from the Wellsburg High School in 1958. On September 11, 1959, Karen married Harlyn Riekena at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wellsburg. They were blessed with five children Kelly, Kent, Andrea, Sarah, and Kathy. Early in life Harlyn and Karen tragically lost two of their children, Kelly at 13 months old and Kent at 12 years old. Karen was a devoted farmer who loved to farm with her husband. She loved to drive the tractor and combine during planting and harvest. In her free time, she also enjoyed mowing and tending to her dogs and barn cats.

Karen will be dearly missed by her husband Harlyn of 65 years. She is also survived by her three daughters, Andrea (Kent) Johnson, Sarah (Kent) Heikens, Kathy Riekena, six grandchildren, Amanda (Garrett) Moore, Megan (Scott) Sawtelle, Allison (Devin) Johnson, Ellen (Dylan) Heikens, Kelly (Andrew) Dolan, Jack (Soledad) Heikens, two great grandchildren, Atticus and Luna, and four siblings, Dallas (Glenda) Koch, Darrell Koch, Linda (Tim) Noland and Bern (Rollin) Primus. She was preceded in death by her two children, Kent and Kelly, and three siblings, Darwin Koch in infancy, Kayleen Rouse and Billie Janssen.