Karen A. Urban, 72, of Waterloo, died at Covenant Medical Center, on Monday, February 1, 2016.

Karen was born on July 8, 1943 in Waterloo, the daughter of James David and Helen Jean Closson Myers.

She was a 1960 graduate of Waterloo East High School and went on to receive an English degree from Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI).

Karen married Gary Urban in Waterloo, on June 15, 1983. She worked as a reporter for the Waterloo Courier beginning in the mid-1960’s until her retirement in 1983.

Karen was active with the Al-Anon organization on the state and local level for many years, serving in several positions including National Secretary.

Survived by her husband, Gary Urban of Waterloo; daughters, Mindi Schooley of Waterloo, LeeAnn Urban of Tucson, Arizona, and Jennifer Urban of Santa Fe, New Mexico; two grandchildren, Alyssa & Dale “Buddy” Urban; two great-grandchildren, Emma & Oliva McLemore; siblings, Dave Myers of Mattituck, NY, Janette “Jan” (Elton “Pete”) Peterson, and Jim Myers both of Cedar Falls.

Preceded in death by her parents.