Obituaries : Karla Jean Bascom

Karla Jean Bascom, 66, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Newhall, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Funeral services will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Newhall at 10:30 AM, Friday, July 11, 2025, with Rev. Nick Palmer officiating. Friends and family may visit with the family before the service from 9:30 until 10:15 AM, also at the church. Interment will be held at St. Johns Cemetery. The family invites all to a luncheon at St. Johns Church, following the burial.

Karla was born on June 30, 1959, in Vinton, IA, the daughter of Donald F. and Kathryn (Halway) Bascom. She graduated from Benton Community High School with the class of 1977. And graduated from Kirkwood Community College. Karla worked as a CNA at the Keystone Care Center while attending Kirkwood. She worked as a nurse for many years at St. Luke's Hospital. She then took a position with Principal Financial Group as a nurse underwriter. She also worked at D2 Hawkeye of Waltham, MA in nursing logistics and protocols.

She was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall. Karla loved to bake, cook, cross stitch, and was an avid reader. Spending time with her family was her greatest joy.

Karla is survived by her brother Jim Bascom of the Villages, FL; sister-in-law Janie; her nieces and nephews, Rick (Rebel) Rathje, Randy (Kim) Rathje, Renee (Dan) Ellsworth, Brad (Rachel) Bascom, and Jamie (Wayne) Graves; 8 great nieces and nephews; 7 great-great nieces and nephews; her special 4-legged friend Sammy; her uncle Vernon Bascom of Vinton; and her special friend and care-giver Theresa Bries.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Jo; and sister Donna, this past May; and brother-in-law, Lee Rathje.

Online Condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com