Karen Kay Dant

Karen Kay Dant, 83, of Walnut, and formerly of Atlantic, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, at Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn.
The daughter of Kenneth Duane and Ruby Arlene (Ruby) Beekman was born Oct. 20, 1942, in Atlantic, where she grew up and graduated from Atlantic High School. She loved working with people and was a waitress in a number of eating establishments over her career, including 18 years at the Colonial Motel Inn and when they closed, seven years at The Gardens. She raised her children in the Walnut area and had a tremendous community spirit! She served a term on the City Council; was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post for over 30 years; was a Cub Scouts Leader when the boys were young. Her social life was constantly buzzing, beginning each day with ladies' morning coffee downtown; for many years she was an avid Euchre player; and she thoroughly enjoyed the activities of the local Red Hats Society. A day at the horse races was a good day in her book and she managed to make a few dollars into great fun there, regardless of the outcome. When her children were young, the town needed an update to their Little League complex so she headed up a Walnut Celebration that was three years running; beginning with a fundraiser of Donkey Baseball, she saw to the details and raised money, organized parades, carnivals and even dressed as a clown herself for the events! For 36 years, she made pies for the Antique Walks and worked at various concessions counters, many times taking back-to-back shifts at several different stands. She was also active with Peace United Church of Christ as a Deacon for three years, involved in women's groups, and their program for crocheting hats and scarves for homeless children. Karen loved volunteering for the VA Hospital and made the patients lap robes. Sewing was a lifelong passion for Karen; she used her graduation money to buy her first and only Singer machine and a set of sterling silver that have both served her all these years!
Karen is survived by her children, Lisa (Doug) Juhl of Shelby, Craig Dant of Mountain Home, Ark., Jacqueline (Jerry) Stewart of Winchester, Tenn., Larry (Jennifer) Dant of Elk Horn, Neb.; grandchildren, Jessica (Keagan) Holton, Jason Juhl, Haley Dant, Scotland Stewart, Caledonia Stewart, Brittany (Lee) Newton, Victoria (Tyler) Briggs, Adrienne Dant and Avery Dant; great grandchildren, Wren Holton and Weston Holton; siblings, Dennis (Phyllis) Beekman; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, special friend, Ted Hepler, and brother Ronald Beekman.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the entire staff at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn for all the wonderful care given to Karen. Thank you to the staff at St Croix Hospice for your kindness and guidance over the last few weeks. We appreciate the care that was given to Karen more than you will ever know.
Public visitation with the family will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Peace United Church of Christ in Walnut.
A funeral service for Karen will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at Peace United Church of Christ in Walnut, with Pastor Heather Ploen officiating the service. Interment will take place at Layton Township Cemetery following the funeral. A luncheon will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the Church following the committal.
Memorials may be directed to the Karen Dant Family. They will be designated at a later date in her memory and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic.