Karen Ruth Coatney

Karen Ruth Coatney, age 67, of Mystic, IA, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Golden Age Care Center in Centerville, IA. Karen was born on May 16, 1958, in Iowa City, IA, to Phillip and Donna (McCaulley) See. She grew up in Albia, Centerville, and Mystic. On December 8, 1992, she was united in marriage to Jerry Coatney who preceded her in death on June 17, 2022. Karen devoted her career to the restaurant business, owning and operating the Albia Café. She loved being outdoors, especially fishing and feeding the birds. She was extremely talented and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and knitting. She was also an exceptional cook and baker, well known for her delicious pies. Cooking brought her joy as she believed that “a person well fed with a full stomach is a happy person.” Above all else, Karen’s greatest joy in life was the time spent with family and friends. Karen is survived by 3 children, Angela (Chad) Jones, Brian (Cynthia) Templeton, and Phillip (Rachel) Templeton; her stepchildren, Jerry Michael (Kristy) Coatney, Kimberly Coatney, and Nicholas Coatney; 12 grandchildren, Brandon Jones, Brett Jones, Corey Jones, Kaleb (Lexie) Templeton, Ellie Templeton, Riley Hawkins, Kyera Hawkins, Cody Templeton, Emily Templeton, Asher Templeton, Lainey Templeton, and Brynlee Gladbach; 6 step grandchildren, Noah Coatney, Abbey Coatney, Ross Vander Hayden, Jessica Coatney Fowler, Deagan Coatney, and Remi Coatney; 11 great grandchildren; and her siblings, Phillip (Susan) See, Mike (Patty) See, and Rhonda Sipe. Karen is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Coatney; her parents, Phillip and Donna See; and 3 sisters, Mary Kay See, Martha See and Carol Radden. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Karen’s family present to greet family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Holly Oden officiating. Burial will follow services at Haines Cemetery in Centerville, IA. An open memorial has been established to the family.

Karen Ruth Coatney

May 16, 1958 - January 28, 2026