Karen E Ibach

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at 11:00 AM at the Ansley United Methodist Church in Ansley, NE with Pastor Jim Koontz officiating. Burial will be in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, NE. Memorials will be designated to the Ansley United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with family greeting 5:00 to 7:00 PM. at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow, NE. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.govierbrothers.com

Karen Elaine Ibach (Mills), age 77 of Ansley, passed away on January 4, 2019, surrounded by her family.

The daughter of Fred and Clara Mills, Karen was born June 15, 1941, near Ansley, Nebraska on the family farm.  She graduated from Ansley High in 1958, that same year she married Gary Ibach.  To this union, two children were born, Crystal and Gary Jr.  She graduated from Kearney State College with a bachelor’s degree in teaching.  Shortly after, they moved to Schuyler, Nebraska and purchased Culligan Water Conditioning.  After a few years, they made the move to Columbus.  In 1998, Karen and Gary sold their successful Culligan franchise of 25 years and returned to the family farm, where they raised purebred Charolais cattle. 

Karen enjoyed any time spent with her grandchildren, especially their annual granddaughter vacations.  She also loved attending the National Finals Rodeo, Timed Events, as well as the Merryman Performing Arts Center. 

Karen’s later years were spent writing letters, as she had many pen pals.  One of her greatest passions was contributing to numerous charities, including Compassion International where she wrote letters to the children she sponsored.  Karen also contributed locally to many youths for their missionary trips and other needs.

Karen leaves to mourn in her passing, a daughter Crystal Ibach, a son Gary L Ibach Jr and wife Shiela.  Grandchildren John Hatten, Nicole (Brandon) Wainwright, Belinda Vavricek, Stephanie (Jose) Gibilisco, Kelli (Shane) Barger, 11 great-grandchildren, sister Olive (Kenneth) Nielsen, and many relatives and friends.  She is preceded in death by her parents Fred and Clara, husband Gary Sr, two brothers Gene and Fred Jr, and great-granddaughter Kennedy Elaine.

Memorials are suggested to the Ansley United Methodist Church.