Karen Pender

Karen Pender, age 81, of Alta, Iowa died on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at her home in Alta. Family memorial services will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. To watch the live stream of the service, please visit St. Mark Lutheran's Facebook page. Burial will be in the Schaller Cemetery in Schaller. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE. Masks and social distancing are required for all guests in attendance. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Karen Rae Anderson was born on March 5, 1940 in Lake City, Iowa to Everett and Arlene (Youngquist) Anderson. She was baptized as an infant and later confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie, Iowa. She was raised on a dairy farm and was in 4H and showed cattle at many fairs. Music and sports were her loves in school as well as playing basketball, softball, accompanying many small groups, mixed chorus, and glee clubs on piano. She was active in Luther League and started playing for a church service at fourteen. She still loves playing all these years later. She graduated from Gowrie High School in 1958 as Salutatorian of her class. Karen married Robert Underwood and became “mom” to Ron and Brian. They open Playdium Bowling Lanes. The couple later divorced. Karen moved to Storm Lake in 1979 to open and manage Storm Lake Bowl. Also, she met the love of her life, Bob Pender and gained two more children to love, Sallie and Shane. She spent seven years at Storm Lake Bowl, met many dear friends and took many fun trips to national tournaments. She became Mrs. Pender on February 2, 1980 and together they purchased the Depot Steakhouse in 1986, where they spent 21 happy years. They totally enjoyed people and shared tears, smiles, and time with many great friends. Karen was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. Her church family and friends were the true treasures in her life, and she thanked God for them every day. Lord, now let your servant depart in peace. Karen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob Pender; her parents, Everett and Arlene Anderson; granddaughter, Angela Underwood; parents-in-law, Art and Marge Pender; brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Mary Anderson; nephew, Kevin Anderson; and brother-in-law, Tom Pender. She will be missed by her sons, Ron and Brian (Tonya) Underwood; stepchildren, Sallie (John) Fitzpatrick and Shane (Hayley) Pender; sisters: Phyllis (Norm) Peterson, Rose Mallison, LuAnn (Jim) Suchan; brother-in-law, Llyod (Lynn) Pender; many loved nieces and nephews; two cats, Baby and Buddy. Also, her grandchildren: Sara Underwood, Jadeyn (Tory) Metzger, Taylor Campbell, Jamison Underwood; and tthree special great-granddaughters: Kaylee and Emily Underwood; Graceyn Metzger.

Karen Pender

March 5, 1940 - March 13, 2021