Karen Rae Feaster
Karen Rae Feaster
Karen Rae Feaster
June 26, 1942 – May 8, 2023
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 80
Karen Rae Feaster, 80, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, May 8, 2023, at Mahaska Health Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Karen was born June 26, 1942, to Charles and Ellen (Stoker) Newcomb of Delta, Iowa.
Karen spent most of her growing up years in Delta where she enjoyed spending time with her girlfriends and cheerleading. She was particularly proud of being chosen to represent the class of 1960 as their Homecoming Queen.
Soon after graduation from high school, Karen married fellow classmate and sweetheart, Leonard Shipley. Together they had one son, Barry, and lived in Delta. They later divorced.
Karen then met and married Verlan Dykstra. Together they had two sons, Brent and Darren. Verlan, Karen, and all three boys lived together in University Park, Iowa, where Karen enjoyed raising her boys, gardening – vegetables and a variety of flowers – visiting with neighbors, and even riding motorcycles on occasion. After several years, Karen and Verlan divorced.
At that time, Karen and the boys moved to Oskaloosa. It was there that Karen met the love of her life, Cohen Feaster. They married and enjoyed middle age together. Sadly, Cohen passed away suddenly in 1994 leaving Karen a widow.
Karen never met a stranger and anyone who visited her quickly learned that she had the gift of gab. She would skillfully put you at ease with her bubbly personality and then carry the conversation all by herself. She was a spitfire when she wanted to be gentle at her core. Although Karen experienced her share of hard knocks, she grew from them, becoming resilient, empathetic, and stronger than an ox despite being a small gal. Karen was herself, never asking for permission or making apologies.
It seems almost poetic that Karen began her transition from this life to the next as a thunderstorm brewed outside. Like layers upon layers of clouds lit from within by bursts of lightening, Karen was complex: tough, vulnerable, silly, kind, feisty, gentle… She could talk smack with the best of them and never took life too seriously. She will be missed by so many.
Karen’s family includes her three sons: Barry (& Barbara) Shipley of Burlington, Iowa, Brent Dykstra (& Shawna Thomas) of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Darren (& Karin) Dykstra of Oskaloosa, Iowa. She enjoyed her seven grandchildren: Jamie Beskow, Sam Dykstra, Liam Dykstra, Nikolas Dykstra, Sophia Dykstra, Sonja Iverson, Marta Iverson; and her great-granddaughter, Lilah Rae Beskow. Additionally, Karen was blessed by nephews, nieces, and a multitude of friends.
In addition to her parents, Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Cohen; her brother, Richard Newcomb; and her sister-in-law, Kate Newcomb.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to the medical team at Mahaska Health Hospital. The kindness and care they showed Karen in the last weeks of her life was exceptional. And for the support they offered us – answering endless questions and supporting us through a very difficult life process – we are indebted to you. You are all very special people.
The family will be at the Bates Funeral Chapel, on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM to greet friends and relatives.
As Karen’s wishes she will be cremated. Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
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