Karen Melton

Karen Rae (Brown) Melton Age 84 passed away April 25, 2024 after a short illness.  She was born at the family home, 8 miles east and 1/2 mile south of Bedford, Iowa on September 3, 1939. The 3rd of 4 children born to Harold R. (Shorty) Brown and Marvel (Burns) Brown. Karen attended West Gay School from Kindergarten to first semester of 8th Grade. The family then moved from the farm to Bedford, Iowa where Karen began the second semester of 8th grade at Bedford Jr. High School. She attended Bedford High School, graduating with the class of 1957. After high school Karen went to work in Omaha, Nebraska.

Karen met and married Charles Donald Melton in 1960. Two sons were born to Karen and Don. Randall Allen and Jeffery Donald. The marriage ended in divorce in 1972. Through the years she was employed with several companies. Beginning with the Omaha Board of Education, Western Electric, Omtronics Mfg. and 26 years with Northern Natural Gas, becoming the Enron Corp. in later years. She enjoyed working and met lifelong friends through her jobs. Karen also enjoyed being a grandmother and was heard to say many times, "being a grandmother is the most fun I had in my life".

Karen became reacquainted with her high school sweetheart, Mervin Walter of Prescott, IA in 1999 and they were together until his passing in 2012.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvel and Shorty Brown; son, Jeffery Melton; grandson, Kristian; sister, Joan Kemery and her husband Charles; brother, Bob Brown and his wife Mary; husband, Don Melton; significant other, Mervin Walter and brother-in-law, Lambert (Butch) Vrba.

Karen is survived by her son, Randy; grandchildren, Jami (Kaleb), Jill (Justin), Jenelle (Nick) and Jordan; great-grandchildren, James, Konnor, Kolin, Charlene, Mason, Landon, Bradley, Bowen and Raegan; sister, Betty Vrba and several nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Memorial Service: 1:00 PM Friday, May 3, 2024 with Visitation one hour prior at Good Shepherd Funeral Home, 3809 N. 90th St.

Inurnment will be May 4, 2024 at 10:30 AM  at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa.