Karen Langan

Karen Joan (Vanderheyden) Langan, 82, of Carver, Minnesota, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Carver Ridge Senior Living. Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, visitation one hour prior. Inurnment at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Survivors include loving daughters, Candace (Bob) Lynch of Cedar Rapids, Traci Vercande of Chaska, MN, Stephanie (Patrick) Hegseth of Carver, MN; grandchildren, Taylor (Andrea) Lynch, Erin (Logan) Koch, Clayton (Sarah) Lynch, Kyra Vercande, Derek Vercande, Michael Hegseth, Tony Hegseth, and Rachel Hegseth; great-grandson, Easton; brother-in-law, Don Kieler of Waterloo; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends who were loved and cherished. Karen was born December 5, 1939 in Waterloo, the oldest daughter of Deric and Martha (Koerner) Vanderheyden. She graduated as salutatorian from St. Mary's High School in 1957, and on July 6, 1957, at 17 years of age, she married her best friend and lifelong partner, Darrell J. Langan. Together, they had four children, and 58 years of life, sharing its memories, joys and hardships. Karen had many interests and passions and was a gifted pianist, writer, seamstress, gardener and cook. She loved music, reading, sewing, singing, and had a tremendous love of nature. More than anything, she was a caretaker of family, friends, neighbors and even a stranger in need. She was always willing to lend a helping hand or a loving ear, or cook up adventures for her children and grandchildren including hiking, picnics, crafts, baking, or teaching them to play the piano. Karen was also an avid sports fan, both as a spectator and a participant. She played a mean game of tennis and was a huge football and tennis fan. Extremely active at St. Matthew School and Church, she was involved in Church Circle, bridge club, PTA, and the school Board of Education, as well as working in the rectory for many years. Karen took care of people in her community ' she was known to buy groceries for the elderly, and her home was always open to any and all children, whom she had a particular love for. Karen is best remembered as a generous, giving, loving woman who would do anything for anyone and her belief in others was often greater than her belief in herself. While she was never able to fulfill her dream of a college degree, she did complete two years at Kirkwood Community College and was a lifelong learner who encouraged her children to do the same. She was instrumental in helping her loving husband build his dream of owning his own business, Langan Plumbing. Karen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darrell; son, Kevin; and sister, Judy Kieler (2020). Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the amazing staff of Carver Ridge Senior Living, as well as the Lifespark Hospice nursing staff, who provided love, care and peace to Karen on her long journey home.