Obituary of Karen E. Lowman

Karen E. Lowman, 68, of North Liberty, died Monday, February 25, 2013, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. A service celebrating Karen's life will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2013, at the First United Church of North Liberty. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Karen's name can be made to the NICU Gift Fund, UI Foundation, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244, to continue to support the many children she shared her love with. Karen Eileen (Christianson) Lowman was born August 1, 1944, in Ames, Iowa; daughter of Nobel and Gladys (Petersen) Christianson. She grew up in Gilbert, Iowa and shortly after she graduated married Thayne Lowman, on August 8, 1962, in Ames. After marriage she moved with Thayne in support of his duties in the Air Force, and began a family. When their children were school aged, they returned to West Bend, Iowa where they would raise their family. She worked for many years as a book keeper at the West Bend Elevator and, after moving to Iowa City and then to North Liberty, spent several years at First National Bank and more recently at a local architectural firm. Karen was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of North Liberty, their choir; a past member of St. Marks UMC as well as the Snow Drifters. She loved sports, especially water skiing, snowmobiling and golf and was incredibly passionate about helping others in need. She volunteered at the UIHC NICU whenever possible, and never spoke a bad word about another person. Karen was a genuinely good hearted person who had an unconditional love for children! Her family includes her husband of 50 years, Thayne; sons, Michael of Boone and Kevin (Debra) of West Liberty; grandchildren Ryan, Katie, Taylor and Thayne Lowman; brother, Robert Christianson (Nadine) of Maple Valley, WA and their children, Sharon and Diane; and the "daughter she never had," Alaina Welsh (Chris) and their children, Nathan and Emma of Iowa City. She was preceded in death by her parents.