Kari Lynn Van De Walker, 58, of Independence, Iowa died on April 20, 2017.
Kari was born on June 6, 1958 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of Bruce C. and Freda J. (Mathes) Slawson. She graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School, Waverly, Iowa, in 1976 and later attended the American Institute of Commerce (now Kaplan University) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she received a degree in bookkeeping.
She married Thomas K. Van De Walker on December 21, 1999. Kari and Tom lived in Independence for many years, where they enjoyed spending time with family and their beloved pets. Kari was a devoted animal lover and raised many dogs, cats and birds, as well as her turtle Oscar. She also enjoyed spending time in her garden with Tom planting flowers. Kari worked in a variety of positions during her life, most recently at Four Oaks in Independence.
Kari was preceded in death by her infant son Dylan Thomas Van De Walker, who died at birth. She is survived by her husband Tom; her step-daughters Sara Van De Walker of Sioux City, Iowa and Robin Van De Walker of Jesup, Iowa; her parents Bruce and Freda Slawson of Waverly, Iowa; her sister Karol Ackerman of Grundy Center, Iowa; her brother Kurt Slawson of Washington, DC; her nieces Raymi Ackerman of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Riley Ackerman of Grundy Center, Iowa; and her nephew David Ackerman of Mashalltown, Iowa.
A private memorial service for family is being held at the Reiff Funeral Home in Independence. To leave an on-line condolence, please go to www.reifffuneralhome.com under obituaries.