Karen Pearl Isenberger

Karen (Keairnes) Isenberger, age 82, passed away peacefully at Josie Harper Hospice House May 7, 2026. She was born on August 12, 1943, to Enos and Lila (Fouts) Keairnes in Carroll, IA. Her parents were farmers near Boyer, Iowa at that time, before moving to the home farm in Dow City, Iowa. Karen received her education at the Dow City-Arion Community School graduating in 1961. After graduation, she moved to Storm Lake, Iowa where she was employed by the Buena Vista County Dept. of Social Welfare where she worked until 1965. Karen attended Buena Vista College night school during that time where she met David Isenberger. They were married in 1963 and to that union were born sons Brian and Jeff. The family moved to Omaha in 1966. Karen and Dave were divorced in 1989. Karen never remarried but enjoyed the company of friends, exploring Omaha history and sights, traveling, mountains, and her favorite vacation to Vancouver, British Columbia and Victoria.
Karen worked at various jobs in Omaha before becoming a real estate agent/broker in 1984. She sold residential real estate in Omaha for 26 years for Ambassador Real Estate. She retired in 2010 due to some health issues. Karen's biggest joy was being a grandmother and attending her grandchildren's activities. Karen also enjoyed cooking and baking, reading, music, art, family genealogy and browsing estate sales. She was ordained as a Stephen Minister in 2001 and served on the Board of Deacons at her church in Omaha.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Lewis Keairnes; sisters, Joan Frank and Janice (Emmett) Lahr.

She is survived by her sons Brian (Billie), Jeff (Steph); grandchildren, Cameron, Tyler and Jordan Isenberger; bonus grandchildren, Dakota and Conner Taylor; 3 great grandchildren; sisters, Sandra "Sandi"Keairnes and Connie Keairnes, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other close family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home in Council Bluffs, IA on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home in Council Bluffs, IA on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Final resting place at Dow City, IA Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Josie Harper Hospice House, Omaha, NE.



If in our daily life, we can smile,

If we can be peaceful and happy,

Not only we, but everyone will profit from it.

This is the most basic kind of peace work.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

It's a great feeling to be lost in the rolling hills, knowing you will eventually cross and follow the road that takes you back to where you belong. But that feeling of being invisible to the human race is interesting & therapeutic. - Karen Isenberger