Karen Sue Prehm Van Brocklin, 69, of Montrose, formerly of Danville, died Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital surrounded by family following a valiant battle with cancer. She was born November 5, 1956 in Mt. Pleasant to Arlo August and Ardith Louise Gaunt Prehm. Karen was a 1974 graduate of Danville High School and a 1984 graduate of Carl Sandburg College. She was a member of Long Creek United Methodist Church, Danville and a member of Methodist Women’s Circle.
Karen married John Moyes and they later divorced. On January 17, 1992 she married Robert Van Brocklin in Norwood, Illinois. She worked selling ads for the Mt. Pleasant News and The Shopper; was a dealer at Catfish Bend Casino; and retired from TLC where she was a telemarketer. In 1992, Karen and Bob opened Alley Greenhouse and Garden Center and she proudly enjoyed selling her produce and flowers at area farmer’s markets and events in eight different towns. She belonged to Flutter Wheels and enjoyed square dancing; loved her pets; attending Old Threshers and was a member of Sonara Grange. Karen’s favorite color was green and she really loved green popsicles. Spending time with her family was precious to her, especially with her grandchildren and Bob.
She is survived by her husband of Montrose; one son Jason (Trinity) Van Brocklin of Hedrick; four daughters, Heather (Andy) Cook of Mebane, NC., Samantha (Brad) Hanson of Grinnell, Toni Van Brocklin of Montrose and Molly (Marcus) Dosier of Montrose; twelve grandchildren, Trevor, Tiffany, Brinley, Brickston, Cale, Addie, Andrew, Isabella, Bryce, Brevin, Macklin, and Taylin; one brother Mark (Jackie) Prehm of Danville; two sisters-in-law, Konni Prehm of Danville and Norva “Babe” Deweese of Montrose; and two nephews, Logan Prehm and Dusty Trail. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother Michael; her special Aunt Alice Prehm; and brother-in-law Kenny Deweese.
Funeral services for Karen will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, July 6, 2026 at Long Creek Church with Pastor David Mixon officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Long Creek Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Sunday, July 5th, at Elliott Chapel, New London. A memorial has been established for the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.