Karen Marie Blum (Wurzer), 63, of Ames passed away on March 4, 2024 after a strong and courageous battle with cancer. A Rosary will be held at 4:00 p.m. with a visitation to follow on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care (414 Lincoln Way, Ames Iowa 50010) with a funeral service held on Friday, March 8, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Malachy's Catholic Church (405 Gerald St, Madrid, IA 50156) In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a memorial donation to Karen's family to be used for a donation to the Slater Public Library. Donations can be mailed to The Karen Blum Fund 2116 320th Street Madrid, IA 50156.

Karen was born on May 14, 1960, to Ronald and Mildred (Tigges) Wurzer, in Carroll, IA. She attended Coon Rapids High School in 1978. She went on to Iowa Central Community College and graduated in 1980. After college, she worked at the County Seat store and later employed by Eliason Management and American Restoration for over twenty-five years. Her and Keith married on September 28th, 1985 in Walnut, Iowa. They had 39 wonderful years together.

She was famous for her Special K bars that no one could replicate. She loved finding treasures at garage sales, doing crafts, Memorial Day camping, Iowa State tailgating, and lunches with her neighborhood ladies. Her most cherished memories were ones that involved her grandchildren. She squeezed in all the grammy-love she could. She always had crafts for them, didn't care if they mixed the play-doh colors, ate Starbursts at 10pm, colored Easter eggs in December, and made sure they always got a Hot Wheels car to take with them before they left her house.

Left to cherish Karen's memory is her husband Keith, children: Eric (Alex) Blum, Ashley (Ethan) Hokel. Four grandchildren: Max and Cole Blum, and Lincoln and Kemper Hokel. Her mother, Mildred Wurzer and mother-in-law, Doris Blum. Her siblings: Kathy (Darrin) Kozak, Dave (Bonnie) Wurzer, Patty (Glenn) Nobiling, Sharon Wurzer, and Doug (Tanya) Wurzer. Sibling-in-laws: Duane (Cindy) Blum, Jim (Betty) Blum, Denise (Terry) Krueger, Patty (Brad) Kay, Donnie (Tami) Blum, and Dave (Barb) Blum. Finally, she had many nieces and nephews that she loved deeply.

She is preceded in death by her father, Ronald Wurzer, her father-in-law, Kenneth Blum, two children of her own in pregnancies and one grandchild in pregnancy.

Internment will be at the Iowa Veteran's Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences can be made to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.