It is with great sadness we share with you the passing of our mother Karen Lea Maerschalk. Karen was 72 of Marion, Iowa and is survived by her three children Brian (Jennifer) Newhard, Dan (Dalila) Newhard and Sarah Corbett; grandchildren Cameron, Rylee, Teegan, Jett, Landree, Alivia and Brendan; great-grandson Beckett; her siblings Sharon Thompson, Rick (Shelly) Roman, Theresa Rivera, Scott Roman, Anne (Tom) Skvor, Chris Roman and Jennifer (Brad) Crandall; as well as her nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Jerry and Dorothy Roman, brother Jeff Roman and brother-in-law Aaron Rivera.

Cremation will be handled by Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids with a celebration of life to be set at a later date.

Karen grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the oldest of the Roman children. She graduated from Jefferson High School in the class of 1969. She worked many years in the grocery business with Sun Mart Foods as well as nursing where she was a CNA. She was a great mother, sister and grandmother and possessed a great devotion to God.

Some of my favorite memories are those where my mom is uncontrollably laughing. Dan always had a way of getting those laughs out of her. We enjoyed our evenings of bingo and when she'd need to wear her lucky shirt because she was convinced it's the reason she kept winning. Karen was a big fan of watching her sons wrestling.  She was a lover of the Chicago Cubs, Diet Pepsi, knick knacks, movies, Walker Texas Ranger and had a major crush on Patrick Mahomes! She will be missed by so many, but her memory will live on. We find comfort knowing our mom is in the almighty care of her lord and savior Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family.