It is with great sadness that her family announces the death of Karen Jean (Brown) Eslinger of Port Isabel, Texas on December 15, 2017. Karen died peacefully at Spanish Meadows Nursing Center in Brownsville, Texas.
The daughter of Glenn and Gladys (Hamlin) Brown, Karen was born in Grundy Center, Iowa and raised on her family’s farm just outside of town with her older sister, Barbara. Throughout her youth she was active in 4H, Rainbow Girls (in which she served as a state officer) and her school’s music programs. She followed her father and sister in becoming a cyclone, graduating in 1961 from Iowa State University with degree in Elementary Education. She also met husband, Larry Eslinger, in the fall of 1957 at ISU. They married in the summer of 1959. She traveled with Larry to Germany during his three years of military service, then back to Iowa where they lived in a number of towns. Karen taught during these early years until she dedicated her days to raising two boys, Curt and Brian.
Following three years in California the family returned to Iowa. After a two-year sojourn in Cedar Rapids, Larry and Karen took over the farming of Karen’s family farm in 1976. Karen renewed many old friendships and was very active in the local chapter of PEO as well as the United Methodist Church. She and Larry enjoyed singing in the Church choir. After her sons left the nest Karen and Larry became active in the Iowa Arabian Horse Association. They retired in 2001 and began enjoying winters in Texas. In 2004 they bought property in Brownsville and became Texans in 2006. There they made many close friends and continued to be active in the Methodist Church, especially in the music program.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Gladys. She leaves behind her husband, Larry, her sister Barbara Austin, two sons, Curtis (Carol) and Brian (Lisa) and three grandchildren, Katherine Kluver (Bradley), Thomas and Emily, nephew Douglas Austin and his family.
A memorial service remembering Karen’s life will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Brownsville Texas, with a lunch to follow. Gifts to the church’s music program in Karen’s name are requested in lieu of flowers. Karen will be remembered as a true friend, a loving wife and devoted mother.