Karen Fread, 76, of New Sharon passed away Monday morning, May 6, 2024 at the UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life will begin at 10:30 am Monday, May 13, 2024 at the Lighthouse Church in New Sharon. Burial will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday, May 12, 2024 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in New Sharon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Sharon Fire and Rescue or the New Sharon Food Bank. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.

Karen Marie Fread, the daughter of Eldon and Shirley (Schnell) Lee, was born on April 21, 1948 in Storm Lake, IA. She graduated from Ruthven High School in Ruthven, IA. Following high school, Karen attended Iowa Methodist School of Nursing receiving her Nursing Degree before obtaining her BSN Degree at Grandview University in 1987. Karen then went to St. Ambrose University in Davenport where she received her MBA in 1995. On May 31, 1969, Karen was united in marriage to Roger Fread at the Ruthven United Methodist Church in Ruthven, Iowa. To this union two children were born, Brian and Regina.

Karen worked mornings as the school nurse at North Mahaska School and spent the afternoons/evenings working at the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa. She then worked for the New Sharon Doctor's Clinic before working for Mahaska Public Health where she worked her way up to the director. She eventually went  to work for the State of Iowa Public Health. Karen was a career women and loved working for the Public Health Department. Her job required her to travel around the country and was very proud to have been to every state but Delaware. Karen loved her family and enjoyed the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed supporting them in all of their activities. She stayed busy quilting, watching Iowa Hawkeye Football and traveling. Roger and Karen had the opportunity to visit every Big 10 Stadium but Maryland. She also was a member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church and the Iowa Nurse's Association.

Karen's legacy will be honored by her husband, Roger of New Sharon; her children, Brian (Amy) Fread of Clear Lake and Regina (Larry Lickteig) Anderson of Cedar Rapids; her four grandchildren, Rowan (Nick Castle) Fread, Ashlyn Fread, Isaac Anderson and Jillian Anderson; her uncle, Paul Schnell of Ruthven, Iowa; her two nephews, Michael (Amanda) Lee and Jon Lee along with other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert E. Lee.