Karen Lillard, 79, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Allen Place in Atlantic.
Karen Marie was born to Earl Russell and Marie Pearl Whitford Boehme on October 11, 1946 in Carroll, Iowa. When she was a child, her family moved to Atlantic where she graduated from high school and remained throughout her life. During her high school years, she worked at the Berry Nursing Home and later the Atlantic Nursing Home and Heritage House.
William Warren Lillard stole her heart and she and “Bill” were married in a Baptist Church in September of 1966 in Papillion, Nebraska. They later adopted their son, Stanley Dean, when he was 22 days old, in Dubuque, Iowa; he was the pride and joy of their life! She enjoyed the years raising Stan and using her many homemaking skills in their home and to bless other families as well. Together, they enjoyed gardening followed up with Karen’s cooking, baking, and canning.
She was a member of the Brayton Baptist Church and taught Sunday School there. She worked for West Central, REM, and cleaned homes. She enjoyed the friendships that grew out of that time. After Bill retired, they worked together cleaning Atlantic Locker after hours, for several years. Karen and Bill enjoyed fishing together. Karen had a love for the simple things in life – especially a cold “Pepsi Pop”, a can of pringles, some good fried chicken, her coloring books, and most of all, her love for Jesus, whose presence and faith carried her throughout her life. Time with family making memories was always important to Karen. After Stan passed away in September of 2015, it was more precious than ever.
Karen is survived by her daughter-in-law, Liz Lillard of Council Bluffs; grandchildren, Cody (Erica) Lillard of Atlantic, Danielle (Joe) Hadley of Atlantic, Tiffany (Zach Flathers) Lillard of Cumberland, Tori Lillard of Neola, Scott Jackson and Kyler Edie of Atlantic; great grandchildren, Mariah, Carter, Aleyah, Lucas and Sophia; sisters, Sharyl (Ray) Brooks of Urbandale, Iowa and Donna Schaaf of Waukee, Iowa; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Betty Lillard, Janice (Joe) Sylvester and Dale Dickerson; former daughters-in-law, Leah (Mitch) Mundorf and Laurie (Eric) Jensen; several nieces and nephews and other beloved relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Lillard; their son, Stan Lillard; grandson, Brandon Harry; her parents, Earl Boehme and Marie Boehme Lohoff; brother, Ronald Boehme; sisters, Marlene Dickerson and Janet Gustin; brothers-and-sister-in-law, Ed Gustin, Jim Skipton, Sr., Allan Schaaf, Norm (Bev) Lillard, and Ernie Lillard; nephews, Shaun and Tommy Gustin, Carl Swolley, Jr., Rick Lillard, Mark Lillard; niece, Lori Lillard; and great niece, Carli Lillard.
A visitation with family present will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 15th, 2026, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 at the funeral home followed by burial at Atlantic Cemetery. Pastor Ross Swope of Brayton Baptist Church is officiating over the funeral service and burial.
There will be a luncheon at Skips Celebration Space at 1000 East 7th Street in Atlantic immediately following the burial.
Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Karen’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com
