Karen Kay Busness

Karen Kay Busness, 80, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. In agreement with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 915 27th Street in Marion, with Reverend Bert Mueller officiating. Inurnment will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at East Paint Creek Cemetery, located at 1751 Gronna Drive in Waterville, Iowa.

Karen was born on June 3, 1946, in Elkader, Iowa, one of eleven children to Kenneth and Frances (Fry) Phelps. She was a graduate of Strawberry Point High School. On December 9, 1967, Karen was united in marriage to Raymond “Ray” Charles Busness in Strawberry Point, Iowa. Karen and Ray were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She worked at Rockwell Collins for many years, before her retirement in 2008. Following her retirement, she dedicated her time and talent to making handmade quilts, which she shared with her family and friends. Karen will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Karen is survived and lovingly remembered by her two sons, Steve Busness (Tami Oliphant) of Burleson, Texas, and Doug (Helen) Busness of Ely, Iowa; grandchildren, Nicole, Dean, Cate, Maddie, Abby, and Luke; one great-granddaughter, Hazel; six sisters, Laura Farmer of Dundee, Iowa, Ethel (Jerry) Manross of Waverly, Cindy (Dennis) Williamson of Marshfield, Missouri, Iona (Frank) Keppler of Strawberry Point, Rita (Dan) Zapf of Littleport, Iowa, and Kathy Phelps of Independence, Iowa; and a host of many extended family members including nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ray; three brothers, Ronald, Clair, and Clark Phelps; and sister, Virginia Miller.