Published by Legacy on Apr. 9, 2024.

Karlene Kay Huber was born on July 13, 1958, in Creston, Iowa. Karlene was the 2nd born child of Everett and Vina (Shawler) Smith. She graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest in 1976. She was married in July of 1976, and from that union she had 2 children, Chad and Shanette. She moved back to Iowa and had Sam. On June 10, 2000, Karlene married her best friend, Dave, and added 3 more kids, Angie, Marcie, and Jerad.

Karlene had various jobs and lived in numerous places throughout her life. While in high school, she worked at Whimpies in the Kansas City area. She moved to a farm in Kansas and worked at a cafe. Karlene moved many times during her life. She lived in North Carolina and Florida, while there she worked in a factory and multiple different restaurants. She eventually returned home to Lenox in 1991, where she worked at Pizza Hut in Creston and Breaduex in Lenox. She was a Girl Scout leader with her sister Monica, when their children were in school. Karlene's last employment was at Cheese's/Ramseys' where she worked for many years.

Karlene loved going camping and fishing. She would spend the afternoons on her front porch watching her grandkids and various nieces and nephews run around her yard playing. Karlene would chat with anyone who wanted to stop by and talk. Karlene loved seeing and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish Karlene's memories is her mother, Vina; siblings Beth (Larry), Karen (Ken), Monica (Kenneth), Mike (Becky), and Amy (Dan). Her children and step children Angie, Marcie (Rick), Chad (Nicole), Jerad (Jacque) Shanette (Allen) and Sam (Kashayla); nieces and nephews; her grandchildren Paul (Andrea), Melyssa (Bret), Abbie (Juan), Alec, Malorie, Logan, Jodie, Ashlyn, Rubi (Michael), Ellie, Elin, Parker, Christian, Journey, Kyler, Phoenix, Nova, and Adalynn; and great grandchildren Aleeah Elsie, Dawson, Birdie, Josiah, Juan Jr., Gabby, and three babies to come.

Preceding Karlene in death were her father, Everett Smith; father-in-law Duane Huber; husband Dave Huber; son-in-law Scott; and grandson Archer.