Karen Ann Taylor, age 71, of rural Grant, Iowa, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Cass Health Center in Atlantic, Iowa, after a long illness.

Karen was born in Clarinda, Iowa, on July 7, 1954, the daughter of Lyall and Nickie (Larson) Gage. She was raised in the Hacklebarney area north of Villisca, Iowa.

Karen was united in marriage to Roy D. Taylor on December 8, 1978. To this union, three children were born: Bobby, Chris, and Kari.

Karen went to school at some places and worked at some places. We won’t list them here because as she said, “No one wants to read that crap”. She was a 4-H leader and Sunday school teacher for many years.

Karen loved to laugh, joke, and tell stories (with all the details). She was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends. She worked hard on the farm and raised a big garden until her health failed. Karen enjoyed traveling anywhere with Roy, whether it was to the mountains of Wyoming or just around the corner. She loved baking and cooking big meals for everyone and anyone. She made it her mission that no one left her house hungry or thirsty. Karen hosted many family dinners and holidays, her favorite being the 4th of July party with fireworks. She loved doing crafts of all kinds and usually had five or six different projects going on at the same time. Karen was a very strong and caring woman always putting others before herself.

Karen’s personality changed permanently in 2006 when she became a grandmother. Her kids always said that Mom and Grandma were two completely different people. If her grandsons wanted to burn down the house, Granny would have handed them the torch.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her in-laws: Jack and Helen Taylor; sister: Kathy Gage; brother: Kenny Gage; and sister-in-law: Carolyn Gage.

Survivors include her husband: Roy Taylor; children: Bobby Taylor and wife Genie; Chris Taylor and wife Erin; and Kari Taylor; five beloved grandsons: Shane Taylor, Colten Taylor, Austin Taylor, Carter Taylor, and Caleb Taylor all of the Grant, Iowa, area; brother: Kent Gage and wife Mary of Villisca, IA; sister-in-law: Kitty Gage of Red Oak, IA; sister-in-law: Linda Staiert and husband Bob of Topeka, KS; brother-in-law: Bill Taylor and wife Nancy of Grant, IA; nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life gathering will be held from 2-4 PM Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Villisca Community Building in Villisca, Iowa.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.