Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2020 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home, 601 Torbert Blvd, in Akron, Iowa. Burial will be at Brule Creek Lutheran Cemetery in rural Elk Point, South Dakota. Visitation with the family present will begin at 10:00 at the funeral home on Saturday and will continue until the service. Face masks are optional and social distancing is required. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Karlene Rae Kjose was born on July 30, 1945 to Vernon and Audrey (Kulvik) Kjose in Vermillion, South Dakota. She was raised on their farm in rural Akron, attended West Union School District #33 country school and later attended Akron High School. After her education, she began working in Sioux City and shortly later moved to Sioux City. Karlene worked for a long time for Younkers in Sioux City and also did some babysitting and childcare. She later began selling AVON makeup and continued to do so for many years. Karlene was united in marriage to Thurlow Steen II and they had 4 children together: Corey, Tonya, Ramsey, and Chastity. They later divorced.

Karlene had an eye and a love of beautiful items! She collected many different items: ceramic figurines of birds, deer, and pigs, birdhouse, porcelain dolls, and Native American artwork. She enjoyed painting, sewing, and crafting; she made many floral arrangements such as swags and wreaths. Karlene loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She would often call them on the phone and they could always count on a lengthy conversation! Karlene also loved to travel and made many trips with family and some on her own. Some of her favorite places were Yellowstone, Branson, Nashville, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Canada. Karlene's favorite music was country and anything by Elvis Presley!  She was a longtime member of Brule Creek Lutheran Church.

Karlene is survived by her children: Corey (Georgia) Steen of Akron, Iowa, Tonya Steen of Lyons, Nebraska, Ramsey Steen of Akron, Iowa, Chastity (Russell) Taffner of Onawa, Iowa and Thurlow Steen III of Hayward, Wisconsin; grandchildren: Chance (Tamara) Steen, Dakota Steen, Maverick Steen, Dylan Steen, Shiloh Steen, Starla (Dennis) Mobley, Skylar McMullin, Paisley Steen, Checotah Taffner, and Thurlow Steen IV; great grandchildren: Cooper Steen, Weston Steen, Dominic Steen, Malachi Steen, Addalyn Mobley, and Kinsley Mobley; siblings: Maxine (Wayne) Siemers, Randall (Kimberly) Kjose, Marcy (Ron) Hoffman, and Selene (Johnny) Van Wyk; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Karlene is preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Audrey Kjose.