Karen Joan (McElroy) Brown, age 66, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2024, after a prolonged battle with breast cancer. She was born on January 10, 1958, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Joan McElroy (Jeck) and Robert McElroy.
She graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1976. Karen attended Grand View University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work.
On November 14, 2008, she married Nate Brown. They lived in Colfax, Iowa.
She was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church.
Survivors include her husband, Nate Brown, her mother, Jean McElroy, three sisters, Diane Ward, Lori Knuth, Beth (Phillip) Hotchkin, three brothers, Ronald (Donna) McElroy, Brent (Tara) McElroy, Daniel (Kay) McElroy and several nieces and nephews.
Karen is preceded in death by her father Robert McElroy and niece Pamela Fisher.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 3rd, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa. A luncheon will follow directly after the Mass. Burial will be at St. Edwards Catholic Cemetery in Afton, Iowa at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Theresa Catholic Church.
