Karen Kay Hagar, 83, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025, at her home in Le Mars surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Doug Klein will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. There will be a Parish Rosary at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the RexwinkelFuneral Home. There will be a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Friday at the church. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Karen Kay (Gotto) Hagar, the daughter of Benedict and Loretta (McDermott) Gotto, was born on August 9, 1941, in Le Mars, Iowa. Early on, she lived on a farm south of Remsen, Iowa. The family moved several times, living in Oto, Hornick, Merrill, and Kingsley, before settling in Plymouth County, Iowa. She graduated from Gehlen Catholic School in 1959. Following her schooling, she went to work for Aalf's Manufacturing and part time at Wells in Le Mars.

She married the love of her life Robert Hagar on August 22, 1961, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Struble, Iowa. While Robert was in the service, she lived with her mom and dad. They lived in Bremerton, WA for 5 months when Bob was serving in the Navy. After his service, they made their home in Le Mars.

Early on, Karen was a homemaker for her family. They moved several times for Bob's job, living in Virginia Beach, Hampton, VA, Celina, OH, and Columbus, NE, before moving back to Le Mars in 1981.

After moving back to Le Mars, they purchased the Lark Lounge Bar. Bob passed away on August 24, 1987. Karen continued to operate the bar until selling it in 1990. She then went to work for a short time at the Eagle's Club in Le Mars before returning to Wells. She worked there until her retirement in 2008.

She was a member of All Saints Catholic Parish in Le Mars. Karen enjoyed taking car rides, trying her luck at the casino, watching "Wheel of Fortune," and feeding the birds and squirrels. She also enjoyed traveling with her aunt, Maggie Singer. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her 6 children: Cary (Leon) Penning, Pam (Mark) Nemmers, Nancy (Damin) Hansen, Amy (Bill) Ruba, Greg (Angie) Hagar, and Heidi (Kevin) Gengler; her grandchildren: Jill (Chad) Mescher, Michael (Michelle) Ruba, Maggie (Mychal) Rechtenbaugh, Jenni Hansen (Fiancée Devin Mongan), Joe (Katie) Penning, Adam (Natasha) Nemmers, Eric (Lindsay) Ruba, Alex Hansen, Mollie Nemmers, Russell Ruba, Tiffany (Cole) Sonne, Robert (Michelle) Hagar, Brandon Hagar, and Jacob Nemmers; her great grandchildren: Josie, Reese, Mason, Sage, Greyson, Max, Maddox, Jaxon, Marlee, Charlotte, Macy, and Reid; her siblings: Marlene Gengler, Jo Ellen Mullally, Patty (Tom) Mullally, and Vicki (Jeff) Lamp; her in laws: Lowell Hagar, Laura Hall, and Brett Hemmelrick; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Loretta Gotto; her mother-in-law, Verna Athens; her husband, Robert Hagar; her siblings: Linda Hemmelrick, Donna (Charles) Hoffman, and Lawrence 'Buzz' Gotto; and her in laws: Lawrence Hagar, Lorna Hagar, Mike Gengler, and Larry Mullally.