Karla Georgette (Hartvigsen) Roecker was born on June 25, 1955, in Harlan, Iowa, to George and Sharon (Wohlhutter) Hartvigsen. She grew up alongside her three brothers—Tim, Dan, and Kevin—and held especially fond memories of time spent at her grandparents’ family farm near Kimbalton, IA, as well as playing in the Laurel Elementary School neighborhood and swimming at the local pool. She graduated from Harlan High School in 1973 and went on to build a life filled with love and purpose. She became the proud mother of four children, Zachary, Joshua, Seth, and Emily, and poured her whole heart into raising them, creating a home full of warmth and cherished memories. Throughout her life, her love remained steadfast, and her unmistakable Hartvigsen spirit was ever present—strong-willed, warm-hearted, and entirely on her own terms.. Karla worked many years in the office at Harlan Hy-Vee, Southwest Orthodontics, Myrtue Memorial Hospital, and Iowa Western Community College before her retirement in 2020. In retirement, she continued to work part-time for IWCC’s HiSet Center and found joy encouraging all students to be successful. In her later years, she made the move to Council Bluffs, Iowa, to be closer to her children and grandchildren, a decision that perfectly reflected the woman she was: always choosing family first.
Those who knew Karla knew that she had a gift for making beautiful things. Crafting, quilting and sewing were among her greatest passions. She approached each project with patience, creativity, and love, creating pieces that carried warmth far beyond their stitches. Her connection to the natural world was just as deep. Karla had a love for nature, and she had a particular talent for finding magic in the everyday wonders of her backyard. Friends and family always looked forward to her stories of nature’s latest adventures — a visiting bird, a surprising bloom, or some small miracle she’d spotted just outside her door.
But perhaps nothing brought Karla more joy than her 10 grandchildren. She was the kind of grandmother who showed up — truly showed up — no matter the distance. Whether it meant crossing state lines to cheer at a game, attend a recital, or simply be present for a milestone, Karla was there. Her grandchildren never had to wonder if they were loved. She told them so often, signing off with her signature phrase: “I love you a bushel and a peck”.
If you asked Karla what her happiest moments were, the answer was always the same: any time everyone was under one roof. Her all-time favorite memory was the Christmas snowstorm of 2009 when the whole family got snowed in together. Rather than frustration, to her there was only joy. For Karla, being stuck together was the best kind of gift. She loved it so much that for her 70th birthday this past June, she asked her family to recreate it — same togetherness, just warmer. It was exactly the kind of celebration that made sense for her: not a party about her, but a gathering of the people she loved most. Karla is survived by her beloved children: Zachary (Erin) Roecker of Denver, CO; Joshua (Sarah) Roecker of Omaha, NE; Seth (Danielle) Roecker of Des Moines, IA; and Emily (Chad) Liechti of Bellevue, NE. She is also survived by her 10 treasured grandchildren: Lauren, Ben, Abbie, Zane, Sylvie, Graham, Ruby, Delaney, Makenna, and Ellison; her brother, Kevin (Tracy) Hartvigsen of Audubon, IA, and nieces, Michaela and Amy. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Sharon Hartvigsen, her brothers Tim and Dan, and nephew Jake.
Karla Roecker lived a life of quiet, steadfast love. She was the thread that held her family together – present, warm, and unwavering. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
