Karen Kay (Cox) Salter Obituary (2016)

Karen Kay Salter passed away peacefully at her home in Keosauqua, Iowa on June 11th at the age of 75. She was born in Keosauqua to Florabelle & Willard Cox on July 5th, 1940. Karen graduated from Keosauqua High School & received her Masters in Psychology from Drake University in Des Moines, IA. Karen opened her own practice in Des Moines counseling those with disorders, including PTSD. She was also an advocate & foster parent to children with special needs. After retiring, Karen and her late husband, William, returned to Keosauqua and opened a Bed & Breakfast, The Mansion Inn, where she enjoyed hosting & cooking for her guests. Karen loved to garden & her green thumb provided beautiful flower gardens everywhere she lived. Karen played the saxophone & piano. Karen & William started The Tarnished Brass Band in 2005. She proudly sat 1st chair saxophonist until 2012 when her husband passed away. She remained involved with the band while battling health issues. Karen is preceded by death by her; husband William; daughter Lisa; parents, Florabelle & Willard Cox; sister Naomi Patterson; brothers Dean, Ronnie, Larry Joe and Bill Cox; granddaughter Tabitha Andrews. Karen is survived by her daughters Cindy McLeran, Brenda Stifel, Lynnette Salter, Kim Bashara; sisters, Sandi Murray, Mary Cohenour; brother, Marvin Cox; 11 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Tarnished Brass Band or Van Buren County High School Band may be mailed to the family at 500 Henry Street, Keosauqua, IA 52565. A Celebration of Life will be planned for later this summer. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Hospice of Central Iowa for their support in her final days.