Karen Sue Tetrick
My son Chris was priveleged to have Miss Karen as his Pre-K teacher at Rockwell Daycare. What a wonderful woman! She was so good with the children, and so involved with the parents. Always smiling and excited to see them. Chris wanted Jim and Alex to know that he will miss her very much! He knows she is up in Heaven watching over all of us right now. While he will miss her, he knows she has no more pain. God be with you! Wendy, Nick & Chris O'Toole
Wendy O'Toole
Marion
IA
I have had the honor and privilege of sharing a classroom with Karen for the past several years. She was an outstanding teacher and had such a passion for being with children. She was a true friend and I just loved laughing with her. I am going to miss her deeply, but I know she will be watching over us from above!
Kecia Appleby
Vinton
IA
Karen was a great girl in school. I have the privilege of meeting her at McCutcheon. I graduated with the class of 84. She was a fun girl to be around. She always had a smile no matter what. She will be greatly missed.
Kelly Danaher Roysdon
Attica
IN
May the family of Karen (Jones)Tetrick know that the entire Jones family of west central Indiana is saddened to learn of Karen's passing. You have our sincere condolences.
Nancy(Jones) Schleter
Veedersburg
IN
I'm part of the Western Indiana group Nancy Schleter spoke of but I thought I'd express my condolences and express my best possible wishes for the family.
Wyatt Jones
Jamestown
OH
I had the honor of knowing Karen as a co-worker & friend. She was also my child's teacher. Karen will be missed.Jim,Alex & family our thoughts & prayers are with you at this time.
Regina Thomasson
Cedar Rapids
IA
I didn't know Karen very well but I knew her son. Alex has a love and passion in him for others and the world around him, a passion I'm sure which Karen influenced greatly. I regret the chance of not knowing her more.
Ashley Shupe
Cedar Rapids
IA
My daughter Rae was in Karen's pre-k class. Earlier this year Rae was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and had to start testing her blood sugar. Karen was my go-to person. Karen took the time to talk with Rae about healthy food choices and about testing. Karen had a way of explaining to Rae what was happening in words that a 5 year old understood. Rae was not feeling well one morning and Karen stopped to take care of her. She took Rae to get a snack and tested her through out the day. Even with all that was on her mind, Karen focused on my child. I knew that Rae was in good hands. As a parent it is hard to leave your child in someone else's care but with Karen I never worried about Rae. Karen has been a part of conversations in our house many times. Rae would tell me about a bad day she had at school and that Karen gave her a hug or told a funny story. Karen had a way of making everyone feel better about whatever was going on.She had an amazing personality and will be missed.
Lisa Allen
Cedar Rapids
IA
I have known Karen since my daughter started at the Rockwell Daycare, over 6 years ago. I have also worked with Jim at Rockwell. Alex has been in the same room as my son. We would get to daycare in the morning at the same time as Karen and Alex and Alex would always give Austin big hugs in the morning. My favorite memory is of Austin's 4th birthday party, Karen, Alex & Jim were there. It was at Chucky Cheese and the kids were very excited, all Karen would have to do is either say, 'Everyone Quiet' or 'Criss Cross Applesauce' and all of the kids were quiet and sitting nicely on the floor. Karen was a wonderful, very well respected and loved woman and will be greatly missed by so many people. Nikki, Corey, Allison & Austin Kemp
Nikki Kemp
Garrison
IA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. We knew Karen through her 4H days. She came over to help with our projects. She was always a very kind and sweet person to look up to.
Fred Inskeep
Romney
IN
Our condolences to Karen's family. May you have peace knowing that so many persons have special memories of Karen. God Bless you all.
Kathy and Carl Delaney
Lafayette
IN
Dear Brian and Alex I just wanted to say to you both I'm sorry for your loss Karen was a great person and I will miss her a great deal. I know we have not talked in a long time but everyone in my family is doing well. I've been married for 12 years to Steven Lopez and we have to great sons Zachary and Sean they are 12 and 11 years old. well nothing else really to say have a blessed day.
Stacey Anne Miller(Lopez)
Daytona Beach
FL
Karen was my eldest daughter, Anne's, best friend since they were in second grade. If they weren't in each other's rooms, they were in the haymow after riding Karen's horse, or just hiding out from their moms. The grand schemes they planned there for their futures did not include two of their group dying young from cancer. When they were all still together years later, attending each other's weddings, none of us imagined days like this one, let alone two of them gone. I feel like one of my own daughters has died, recalling all the jokes between Karen's mother, Liz, & I so long ago about having adopted each other's girls. I wish so much that I could've attended the services, but I hope everyone knows I am with them in my heart. Karen was a blessing to all who knew her & she will be welcomed in Heaven with God's open arms.
Julie Soposky
Lafayette
IN
Karen was my son Kyle's teacher his first year in Pre-K and I'll never forget the day Kyle was having a rough morning and I didn't know what to do to calm him down. She wasn't working that day (just dropped Alex off), but saw me struggling with Kyle in the lot and calmly reassured me that we all have those kinds of days, and that I should just leave and she'd take care of Kyle. She called me shortly after I got to work and said everything was under control and he settled down right away. We all get busy and have our own schedules to meet, but it was really special for Karen to stop and help me that say, even when I know she had a million things on her own list to get done. We'll never forget her and her special way with children. You are in our thoughts and prayers. - The Ryans
David and Jennifer Ryan (Kyle and Conor)
Robins
IA
Karen's son, Alex, was in my son's pre-school class at RCDC this past year. I attended a few field trips where Karen came along, and I enjoyed talking to her about our children and getting her insight into what we should do with our son for kindergarten. Karen was a brave and lovely woman. Please know that our family is praying for Jim and Alex and Karen's extended family.
Michelle, Chris, Luka and Carolina Flores
Cedar Rapids
IA
As many have all ready stated, Karen was an outstanding teacher that will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to Jim, Alex, and the rest of Karens family. I know we lost a great teacher and co-worker, but mostly we lost a very special and caring friend. Hopefully, all will find peace in the fact that Karen is up in heaven watching over us all.
Trish Roe
Cedar Rapids
IA
I have had the pleasure to know Karen for over 10 years, whilst working at RCDC. She was an incredible co-worker and teacher to both by son's Andrew & Josh. My memory of her at Josh's PreK graduation ceremony this year will remain with me as a very special time. Her courage, strength and passion for teaching and science will shape all the lives of the children she taught. I know they will all be better individuals for knowing her and having her as their teacher. God bless you Karen, there will be a hole missing in our lives forever, but we will look after your boys... big & small.
Liz Prowse
Cedar Rapids
IA
Our hearts and prayers go out to your family in this time. May God Bless you all.
Susie (Jones)Ryan
Tampa
FL
Although we did not know Karen personally, her mom, Liz, has been our bus driver for well over 11 years. From reading others feelings on Karen, we can see what a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, and teacher she was. Our heartfelt condolences are sent to her family.
Welsh Family
Lafayette
IN
I met Karen at RCDC in October of 2007 when I started working at the center. She always made me feel part of 'things' being a new person on staff. We formed a great relationship with Karen, Jim and Alex. She was a strong person and fought a good fight, never giving up. Although I am in Florida now, we kept in touch and I will miss her friendship, laughter, and her neverending care and concern for others. Jim and Alex, we are praying for you at this time. Ps. 46:10 "Be Still and Know That I Am God". Fran and Steph Neuwirth Melbourne, FL
Fran & Steph Neuwirth
Melbourne
FL
I was very lucky for both my kids to have Karen as their Pre-K teacher. She was a very special person who loved kids. She always greeted us with a smile and cared for my kids as if they were her own. She put others first. Even during her illness, she was concerned when my youngest daughter was out for surgery. My deepest condolensce to her family. She will be missed. My kids and I are keeping her in our prayers that she is at peace.
Betsy, Emma , Ava McClurge
Cedar Rapids
IA
My daughter is Alex's classmate at Rockwell Daycare. Everyday I see Alex playing happily and many times he comes up to me and starts telling me what he learned that day. He is a sweet boy and I am sure that he has many of his mother's wonderful qualities. We are so sorry for your loss.
Nicole, Clint, Addison,
Joe Schmitz
IA
Karen was a wonderful woman and my daughter, Gillian, was lucky enough to have her as a teacher in Pre-K while attending Rockwell CDC. She will be greatly missed. Thanks, Karen, for all the love and support you gave us and may you rest easy knowing that you touched so many lives and made a great impact on us.
Nikki Hoekstra
Ely
IA
Our son, JT, had Karen for a Pre-K teacher. In many respects he is a very shy child. He liked Karen a lot and told us about it. I'm still not sure what Karen did to touch his heart, but for whatever it was, we appreciate it. I was at the pediatrican the other day and I saw a sign that said something like "I may not have mattered in life to everyone, but I was important because I mattered in the life of a child." I thought of that today because clearly Karen's life, though much too short, mattered because she was important to the life of many children - especially her own son, Alex. We thank you Karen for your time with our child. Our sympathies to her son and her husband. I'm sure that the next few months will be very difficult for them.
Ann and Tim McCrea
Cedar Rapids
IA
Karen was a cousin to my father Michael and I remember seeing her at family gatherings. She was always very kind. I'm sure Karen had touched many lives and will be missed severely. Although she is in a better place, she will not be forgotten. My prayers are with all of her family.
Brandy Sue Smith and family
Summerville
SC
Tristen Butler
Crawfordsville
IA
Karen was my Aunt. She was a well remembered Aunt, mother, wife, sister, and daughter. Aunt Karen was one to keep others in a great mood. She was the best Aunt that anyone could ever have. I know that she is a great Aunt from wonderful expiriences. When I was 3 or 4 I took the long journey from Indiana to Iowa and when we arrived she greeted me with a warm welcome. She took me to an awesome resturant and a wonderful play area. She was nice and playful. Of the long journey I had and all of the things she did with me she wrote a book that explained my whole vacation. She even printed me a copy and put it together. She was a great mom to Alex. She helped him learn "nice touches". Most of you think that is pretty funny, but it actually halped him not to hit others and to touch gently and nicely. She played Alex's fun imaginative games that he came up with in hi own mind. She was a great sister because my grandma and her were very close. They were not close forever, because before my grandma's sickness they wern't very close. No matter whether or not you were close with my Aunt she loved you. She loved everyone deeply. I'm almost crying writing this, but she had so much niceness in her she told me the following. She said that if something happened to my Grandma that I clould live with her if i'd like. I live with my grandma. Aunt Karen was one to forgive anybody for anything that they did. She was a fantastic Daycare teacher along wiht being great with kids. She was one to help kids with any problems they had and always tried to work things out in the nicest and most peaceful ways that were possible. She even forgived me when I took it upon myself when I was little to make breakfast. I ended up spilling flour and garlic all over the floor. She had enough sympothy for me to actually forgive me for that. I loved her dearly along with many other people. Aunt Karen will always be remembered in our hearts and always be in our memories. Thanks so much Aunt Karen!!!!!