Karla K. Deppe

Karla Kae Deppe, 69, of Grinnell, died Monday, April 17, 2017, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. A funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 21 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, with the Rev. John Epperson, Grinnell Regional Hospice Chaplain, officiating. Pallbearers will be Ed Davidson, Eric, Logan, Mariah and Shannon Deppe and A.J. and Joe Sawyer. Burial will be in Rock Creek Cemetery near Grinnell. Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Smith Funeral Home with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday evening. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grinnell Regional Hospice.

Karla was born May 28, 1947, in Newton, the daughter of Richard and Florence Anderson Russell. She was raised in the Reasoner area and was later a 1965 graduate of Monroe High School. She then received her associate’s degree at AIB in Des Moines.

In 1971, she was united in marriage with Gerald Deppe. From that union were two sons, (Leif) Eric and Shannon and one step-son, Joe.

Karla was employed as a legal secretary for several law firms and finished her career at Grinnell Regional Medical Center as a secretary. She knew the value of hard work and was very proficient with her duties. She often worked two jobs to help provide for her family. Through her adult years, she was a resident of Newton, Kellogg, Grinnell and Tucson, Ariz. She returned to Grinnell, after the birth of her first grandchild.

She was a member of the Grinnell Christian Church. She held a passion for the theatre, enjoyed acting and serving on the Grinnell Community Theatre Board. She was a former Cub Scout den mother.

Karla was a caring, giving and loving mother and was very proud of her family. She enjoyed a simple life and always wanted to be with her family. She never missed her children’s sporting events and loved attending all her grandchildren’s activities. She was an avid San Francisco 49ers fan. She had a love for collecting teddy bears, scrap booking and had a “sweet tooth.” Karla had a “Heart of Gold” and always put others’ needs before her own.

She is survived by her two sons, Eric (Mindy) Deppe and Shannon Deppe of Grinnell; her step-son, Joe (Leslie) Sawyer of Carlisle; three grandchildren, Mariah and Logan Deppe and A.J. Sawyer; one great-granddaughter, Rhylee Sawyer; three brothers, Reggie Gray of Newton, Mike Minenga of Omaha, Neb., and Gary Russell of Newton; and two sisters, Cathy Masterson of Monroe and Gloria Goeke of Grinnell. She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Steve Minenga.