Karen Tharp

MONTICELLO, IOWA Karen Tharp, 73, of Monticello died Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Monticello surrounded by her family. A visitation will be held from 4-7 pm Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery at 10:30 am Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, where military honors will be accorded by the Monticello Drill Team. Karen was born Oct. 12, 1944, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Roy Smith and Gloria Fusco-Wolken. She graduated from High School in Phoenix, AZ, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in History. She served in the United States Army, having been discharged in 1978, and continued in the Reserve for several years afterward. She married Harold “Wayne” Tharp on August 23, 1982, in Pensacola, FL. Together they made their way back to Monticello 21 years ago, and she enjoyed working at Advancement Services of Jones County taking care of the disadvantaged. She enjoyed spending time with her family. Surviving are her husband, Harold “Wayne” of Monticello; 2 daughters: Stacy (Chris) White of Stedman, NC, and Tammy Tharp of Monticello; grandchildren: Hailey and Gavin Winders, and Keven and Charles White due in January 2018. She is preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Ava Holt