Karen Nesbit Tuttle

Karen Nesbit Tuttle, age 76, passed away on December 28, 2023, after fighting a long battle with cancer. Born April 14, 1947, to John Harold and Dorothy Eloise (Huston) Nesbit at Albia Smith Hospital, she was raised on the family farm east of Monroe County Hospital, graduating Albia Community High School, class of 1965. On June 20th of 1965, she married Terrance Sherrard Tuttle of Moravia, having met on a blind date in 1963. The couple were married 58 years before her passing. To this union, three children were born: Jeffrey Karl Tuttle (Julie) of Carlisle, Jennie Angela Pistek (Doug) of Albia, and John Ryan Tuttle of Bartleville, OK. Grandchildren are Andrew Terrence Tuttle of Van Meter, Anthony Luis Tuttle (Morgan) of Dubuque, Ashley Rose Brennan of Albia, and Marilyn Gail Tuttle of Carlisle. Surviving are her husband; children and grandchildren; one sister, Linda Nesbit Spaur (Jim) of Victoria, TX; and one cousin, Jane Kennedy Hoover of Ruidoso, NM. She was preceded in death by her parents; one cousin, Sharon Kennedy Kanouse of El Paso, TX; and one granddaughter, Taryn Suzanne Tuttle. Karen began her career as a typesetter for Fulton (MO) Daily Gazette, for Davenport Newspapers, and again for St. Charles (MO) Daily newspaper, advancing to Society Editor and finally as Assistant Editor. At St. Louis Airport Authority and St. Charles County Port Authority, she worked as an Administrative Assistant. Later, she became interested in kitchen and bathroom remodeling and worked for several different companies in design and sales. The couple retired in 1998 back to their roots in Albia. In 2000, they purchased 15 acres at Rathbun Lake and built a storage facility for boats, adding on in 2004. In 2005, they built Captain’s Landing restaurant, adding on to the kitchen in 2020- Karen having completed the design work for both. Karen was the pie baker; and after becoming ill, granddaughter Ashley Brennan took over the responsibility as well as being Assistant Manager, her mother Jennie being the General Manager. Since the restaurant is seasonal, beginning in 2004, most winters were spent in Texas. During this time, Karen could relax by oil painting, several pictures being displayed in the restaurant. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Karen’s family present from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Rev. Marvin Lindley officiating. Memorials may be made to the family or to Kavanagh House, EveryStep Hospice.

Karen Nesbit Tuttle

April 14, 1947 - December 28, 2023