Karen Renee Humbert

Karen Renee Humbert

Cedar Rapids

Karen Humbert passed into the Lord’s care October 1, 2024. Services will be held Friday, October 4, 2024, 11:00 am, at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids. Visitation, at the Church, will be 9:00-11:00 am. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Karen left this world as she lived in it, surrounded by loving family and friends, relationships she gently cultivated in Cedar Rapids, the home of her birth on December 27, 1941. Born Karen Renee Burianek, she took her stepfather’s name when he adopted her and became known as Karen Bonham, daughter of Evelyn and Roy Bonham. A drum major at Washington High School, she met a precocious Lanny Humbert, but they went their separate ways. She studied business after graduating from Washington High School in 1960, and started several local businesses while raising her three children, Laurie Roth (Mark Woods), Scott Prandy (dec., Karen), and Kalvin Prandy (Mary Butz). In 1975, she once again crossed paths with Lance Humbert. They dated and were married in 1976, adding Ron Humbert (Kim), Mike Humbert (dec., LeGay), Tammy Eitscheidt (Bill), and Dawn Pulford (Chris) to her extended family. Later in life Karen was fortunate to reunite with her half-sister, Jane Edmonds. Having been the original florist at Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids, she established the beloved Brandywine Mercantile Co. in Czech Village. Later in life, she transitioned into the insurance/medical field, founding Fingerprints Etc. and becoming a member of NAIFA. She employed many family and friends, leading them with her take-charge attitude, but she also maintained an empathetic ear; in her eyes, everyone was redeemable, and people felt welcome coming to her with any problems without judgment. She developed extraordinary relationships with neighbors in her community, being known as a trusted confidant and who would show up at 6:00 in the morning in pajamas and galoshes to bail out your basement. She was also one willing to conspire in midnight capers and good-natured pranks, traits passed to her children. Her children delighted her with 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, a legacy not just of relations, but one of commitment to the community in those who followed her into the medical field. Karen plied her floral craft at many family weddings, even once the day after being discharged from the hospital. She and her red, white and blue walker could not be stopped. She understood the meaning of perseverance, having served as loving caregiver to her grandmother Ferne Bucy, her parents, Roy and Evelyn and brother Kevin (K.C.) in their final days. Her grandchildren were at her side in her final days, arranging flowers at her bedside in loving tribute to a woman who spread so much joy to their families and community. She will be missed by many, family and friends alike, including the Red Hat women who gathered weekly for coffee, and especially her long-time friends Suzanne Shea, John and Sandy Phillips. Karen, if you are up there playing canasta, don’t let Lanny cheat lest we hear your oft uttered exclamation, “Oh, Lanny, behave!” But we’ll all delight in hearty laughter and feel the warmth of your smile that comforted us all these years.

Memorial donations may be directed to American Liver Foundation or Red Hat Society.

Online condolences may be left for the family at cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.