Karen Richards

A celebration of life service for Karen Richards, age 82, of Pleasantville, will be held Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville. Following the service a visitation will take place until 1:00 p.m. for a time of sharing memories. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Pella/The Comfort House.
Karen Sue Carter was born on September 26, 1942, in Des Moines, to parents Herb and Ruby (Phillips) Carter. The family lived in Monroe where Karen attended school through seventh grade before moving to Pleasantville, where she graduated from high school in 1960. Following graduation, she began working for Bankers Life in Des Moines.
Karen was united in marriage to Jim Richards on February 24, 1963. To this union two sons: Todd Alan and Toby Jim, were born. Together they moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where Karen worked as a secretary for a local church and three years later relocated to Greene, Iowa where she worked as a typesetter and proofreader at the Greene Recorder.
The couple eventually moved back to rural Pleasantville and purchased the farm where they resided for 47 years. During this time, Karen worked as a teachers aid and secretary to the principal and later started a successful paint and wallpaper business with her sister-in-law. Karen loved to paint and draw and produced several portraits. Karen adored her home and spent much of her time working in her yard, tending the garden, collecting antiques and decorating. Many people would comment that her home was like walking into a museum. Karen also enjoyed photography and usually had her camera ready. She filled several albums with special photos and liked to share them with company.
In their free time, Karen and Jim enjoyed camping and fishing and loved to travel. Their adventures took them through several states and to Hawaii on multiple occasions. They were able to travel abroad and visited Ireland and Hungary as well.
The couple made friends over the years, but time with family was a priority for Karen. Her hospitality made her a favorite among her many relatives.
Karen passed away August 7, 2025, at the Comfort House in Pella. She will be deeply missed by her husband of 62 years, Jim; son, Todd and wife Christine, daughter-in-law, Dianna; grandsons: Randy (Kacie) Nicholson, Craig Richards, and Kyle (Taylor) Richards; great grandchildren: Teagan and Rhett Nicholson; brothers: Billy Carter, and Chris (Lisa) Carter; sister, Beth (Steve) Core; and sister-in-law, Kathy Carter; as well as many extended family members and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Herb & Ruby Carter; son, Toby Richards; brother, Vic Carter; sisters: Kay Vodochodsky and Becky Worthington; brother-in-law, Pete Worthington and sister-in-law, Shirley Carter.