Karen Kay Mitchell

March 23, 1939 - November 11, 2020

Karen Kay Mitchell, age, 81, of Eddyville, passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. Karen was born on March 23, 1939 in Mahaska County, the daughter of Merle and Doris (Darland) Lockard. She attended Oskaloosa High School and graduated with the Class of 1957. She was united in marriage to Paul Bakalar in 1959. To this union four children were born, Penny, Paula, Tony and Becky. Later on, Karen and Paul divorced. On February 14, 1983 she was united in marriage to Jerry Mitchell. Jerry passed away in 1992. After high school, Karen attended night classes to get her certification to teach. After completing her courses, she worked as a teacher at Head Start. Karen later took a job at Rolscreen (Pella Corp) and continued working there until retiring in 1995. She always looked forward to Friday nights after work when she could get dressed up and go out dancing and socializing with her friends. She was a hard worker who instilled good morals in her children. She enjoyed a good cup of coffee, shopping and always looked forward to family gatherings. Above all else, family was everything to Karen. When her parents were living they always had Sunday dinner and her children and family still carry that tradition on today. Those left to cherish her memory are her four children, Penny Bakalar of Ottumwa, Paula Van Loon of Albia, Tony Bakalar of Chillicothe and Becky (Manuel) Coronado of Eddyville; nine grandchildren, Joey Bakalar, Leah Van Loon, Tanya Bakalar-Mumford, Dylan Elswick, Ben (Kayla) Van Loon, T.J. Bakalar, Zane (Morgan) Bakalar, Trey Coronado and Estrella Coronado; twelve great grandchildren, Devon Bakalar, Savannah Bakalar, Scarlett, Madeline Van Loon, Eli Van Loon, Annabelle Van Loon, Henry Van Loon, Zayden Jackson, McKenna Jackson, Trevor Fitch, Rowan Carl and Chloe Bakalar; two great-great grandchildren, Quinton Parks and Freya Bakalar; four step children, Jody Tuley, Desiree Scholtus, Jay Dee Mitchell and Stacey Dereus; thirteen step grandchildren, Paige McGriff, Jordan Stump, Anthony Dahmer, Destiny Scholtus, Tiffany Taylor, Skylar Allison, Jax Mitchell, Gabe Mitchell, Collin Mitchell, Emily Mitchell, Macayla Gregson, Jerica DeReus and Kirah Young. She is also survived by a sister, Patsy (Richard) Marlin and a sister-in-law, Sharon Lockard. She is preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Doris Lockard; a grandchild, Marshall Capps; her brother, Leo Lockard; a son-in-law Matt Shafranek; a step-daughter, Tracy Long and a grand daughter-in-law, Mindy Jo Bakalar. A funeral service will be held Friday, November 13, 2020, at 7:15 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. According to the rules put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health, proper social distancing and reasonable personal protective equipment is advised for attending a religious public event. The funeral service will be live streamed at the funeral home’s YouTube Channel for those wishing to support the family from a distance. Visitation will begin Friday, November 13, 2020, after 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Friday evening prior to service time to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the family.