Karen Ann Franey

Karen Ann Franey was born on August 24, 1942, to Leonard and Frances (Kurtz) Shuppy. Karen grew up as the older sister to three younger brothers: Gary, Stephen, and Dennis Shuppy on the family farm near Brighton, Iowa. Karen attended Brighton Schools where she talked fondly of her days of playing 6-on-6 basketball. Karen graduated from Brighton Schools in 1960.

Karen moved to Des Moines after graduation and met John Franey. John and Karen were married on June 9, 1962, at St. Joseph Church in East Pleasant Plain, Iowa. Karen and John moved wherever the banking business took John. They had stops in Fort Dodge, Indianola, Walker, and finally Pleasantville, Iowa, which they would call home for the next 56 years. They added their daughter, Kim, to their family in 1970, and Joe followed in 1973. Karen was a wonderful mother, building holiday traditions, assisting with 4H projects, and attending all of her children’s sports and music activities. As her children grew, Karen went to work for Pleasantville Community Schools as the business manager, retiring in 2002.

Karen’s next phase of life included her favorite people: Jack Franey, Braidy Friday, Hogan Franey, Carly Franey, and Trey Friday. When they entered her world, it was never the same. Karen took being a Grandma to another level. She was there for all of it: church baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations, football and basketball games, track and golf meets, baseball and softball games, along with music concerts, school plays, FFA activities, and county fairs. Grandma Karen was always there lending encouragement to the kids and suggestions to referees when they needed it! Karen’s grandkids will never forget Iowa Cubs games, trips to Adventureland, going out to eat after Saturday night Mass, and the love that Karen showed each of them over the years.

Karen was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlisle and the St. Elizabeth Seton Ladies Guild. She was a proud supporter of both Pleasantville Community Schools and Martensdale-St. Marys Community Schools.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Kimberly Ann Friday.

Karen is survived by her husband John, her son Joe (Sara) Franey, her son-in-law Robert Friday, her grandchildren Jack (Cayleigh Whitlow) Franey, Braidy Friday, Hogan Franey, Carly Franey, and Trey Friday. She is also survived by her brothers Gary Shuppy, Stephen (Tina) Shuppy, and Dennis Shuppy, sister-in-law Sue Franey, brother-in-law Herb Ellis, and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Karen Franey will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Carlisle.  Visitation will be at 9:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM.  Please join the family for lunch and visiting following Mass.  A private family burial will take place at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Pleasantville.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church.