Karen Harbach Wente, age 69, of Cedar Falls and formerly of Delhi, died of a sudden illness November 3, 2008 at Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo.

Karen, the daughter of Wilma Grapes and Herman Harbach, was born July 16, 1939, on the family farm Northwest of Delhi. She graduated from Delhi High School in 1957. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa. She taught elementary education in Cedar Falls for 16 years before her 35 year career with the Area Education Agency 7 where she was a consultant for the Gifted and Talented and also Early Childhood. She served as Interim Director of Education Services and was President of ITAG. She received many State and National Awards for her Gifted and Talented work. She was currently working on a Grant Program with AEA 267. Her entire life was devoted to education and her church with a desire to help everyone especially her family who were so important to her.

Karen was an active member Nazareth Lutheran Church: she was twice past President and current President of Nazareth Church Women, attended Grace Institute, provided leadership and was an active participant of Prayer Ministry, original Director of the church’s day care, Blessed Beginnings, served as President of the Church Council, and was an active leader of the Bible Group. She provided both local and state leadership for the scholarship program, Dollars for Scholars, and served as Newsletter Editor and past President of Delta Kappa Gamma. She also enjoyed her involvement with the Red Hat Ladies and the 19th Century Club.

Karen was married to John Brandt, father of her three children. She was later married to Doug Garvin. Both marriages ended in divorce. She found love and happiness with her marriage to Michael Wente on November 24, 2007.

Surviving are her husband, three children: Bret and Nick Brandt, and Sandee Sinnott of Waterloo, two step children: Lance Wente of Waterloo and Sabrina Wente of Las Vegas, NV, five grandchildren: Justin (Valerie) and Cory Brandt, Ashlee and Karlee Sinnott, and Gage Wente, five siblings: Lela (John) Sands of Delhi, Janice (Dr. David) Whittemore of Waterloo, Connie (Jim) Clifton of Earlville, Sandra (Tom) Strohm of Missouri City, TX and Terry (Carol) Harbach of Delhi, a sister-in-law Ruth Harbach of Delhi, two aunts: Hazel Knott of Cedar Rapids and Aileen (Ike) Anderson of Cedar Falls, plus many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her were her parents, a sister in infancy, two brothers: Harlan and Wilbur Harbach.