Memorial

Karen Ann Kerslake, 72, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away on Monday, December 20, 2021.  A visitation will be held on Monday, January 3, 2021, from 4-7 PM, at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Cedar Valley Bible Church. Interment will follow at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Karen was born on October 20, 1949 to Roy and Effie (Reed) Neal in Leon, Iowa. She was one of 18 siblings. Karen married the love of her life, Craig Kerslake on February 12, 1970, at Free Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Left to cherish Karen’s memory are her husband, Craig Kerslake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three children, Brian (Tina) of Iowa, David (Miriam) of Texas, Richard (Silvia) of New Jersey; six grandchildren, Jonathan (Sarah) Lochner, Joshua (Mikaela) Kerslake, Ashley Kerslake, Sebastian Kerslake, Emilia Kerslake, and Victoria Kerslake; two great-grandchildren, Jaxson Lochner and Sophie Lochner; seven siblings, Wanda Bailey, Patty Fairley, Lanore Hallock, Sharon (Tom) Hartwig, Peggy (David) Johnston, Paul (Donna) Neal, and Mickey (Sharlene) Neal; and many nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers, Jack Neal, Melvin Neal, Jerry Neal, Gerald Neal, John Neal, Joe Neal, and Robert Neal; three sisters, Betty Norberg, Harriet Morgan, and Sue Painter; and one grandchild, Michael Kopp.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in Karen’s honor.