Karen Vinton

Karen Vinton, 85, of Ackley and formerly of Whitten, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at Ashbrook Assisted Living in Iowa Falls. A funeral service was set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Austinville Christian Reformed Church, with a 1 p.m. graveside service at Benson Cemetery in rural Whitten and visitation Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley.

Karen was born Oct. 5, 1940, in Liscomb, Iowa, to Ralph and Merna (Ruch) Ewalt. She graduated from Marshalltown High School and was united in marriage to Robert Vinton Jan. 2, 1960, in Ferguson.

Over the years, Karen worked at Marshalltown Instruments for 11 years, served lunch at the Union Whitten School for 5 years, and later cleaned homes while also devoting herself to being a loving homemaker.

Karen’s hands were rarely still—she found great joy in hand quilting, playing cards, and bingo nights with friends.

She is survived by her daughter Stefanie (Kirk) Abkes of Ackley; siblings Richard (Pat) Ewalt of Marshalltown, Donald (Royla) Ewalt of Marshalltown, and LaDonna (Brian) Runner of Laurel; grandchildren Owen (Kim) Abkes and Mollie Abkes; great-grandchildren Jovi, Blegen, and Baby Abkes #3 due to arrive in March of 2026; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, four brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, one niece, and one nephew.