Karen Ann Forbes

  Karen Eskelsen Forbes was born August 10, 1938. She passed away at St. Luke’s Nursing Home on March 26, 2026, with her loving husband of 68 years by her side.

  Karen‘s life began in the Loess Hills near Moorhead, Iowa. Her family moved to a farm near Lawton, Iowa where she spent her childhood and teenage years. It was there she began her love for sewing and artistic work through school and 4H. She graduated from Lawton High School in 1956 and briefly attended Iowa State College, in interior design.

  In 1957, she married Larry Forbes and they moved to a little house on the east side of Sioux City, Iowa. Larry and Karen welcomed three children: Jeffrey Eugene, David Allen, and Shelly Ann.

They lived in Sioux City for 56 years and moved to Spencer, Iowa, in 2013.

  Karen was a leader for many organizations throughout her life, she was president of various civic groups, including the Jayceettes and La Sertoma. She was always involved with scouting and served on the camp board for the Girl Scouts. She was involved in 4H and was president of her 4H group as a youth and later as a 4-H leader for her daughter’s group.

  Karen was devoted to Jesus Christ, which showed through her service at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sioux City. She was a Deacon and also served God in women’s groups, couples clubs, choir, Vacation Bible School and youth groups. She was part of the choir and Bible studies at the First Congregational Church of Spencer as well as the church at the Casa del Valle in South Texas.

  ‘Mrs. Forbes’ was always a favorite lunch lady for 13 years at Longfellow Elementary School. Karen & Larry supported the East High School Band by fundraising and chaperoning yearly trips, during and long after their children graduated from High School.

  As Karen’s artistry progressed, she became a member of the Siouxland Artist Group with many people enjoying her tole, decorative, and watercolor paintings. She then found a love for quilting and used her artistry to make beautiful wall hangings, fabric dolls, as well as comfortable quilts. Each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are proud to display her wonderful artwork in their homes. She was an award-winning artist with numerous blue and purple ribbons at the Clay County Fair and the Iowa Artist State competition.

  Karen and Larry were members of the good Sams and Excel camping groups. They enjoyed traveling to Canada, Mexico and all 49 continental states. They wanted to go to Hawaii, but they couldn’t find a way to pull their camper. In their later years, they spent winters in South Texas, enjoying many wonderful friends.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Kelly and Ella Eskelsen.

She is survived by her husband, Larry, her sons, Jeff and his wife, Christine Forbes, David and his wife, Nancy Forbes and her daughter, Shelly and her husband, David Robison

She is also survived by her grandchildren; Ryan (Jen), Nathan (Rebekah), Kyle (MaryGrace) Forbes, Nicole (Michael) Bradley, Emily (Caleb) Lee, Anna (Jonathan) Gabhart and Paul (Lucía) Robison

Great grandchildren include Ava, Audrey, Piper, Clara, Noah, Daisy, Holly, Madison, Charlotte, Hollis, Olivia, Lila, Charlie, Rudy and TBD.