Karen M. Cornick

Karen Marie Cornick of Mason City, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2025. She was surrounded by loved ones and passed peacefully in her sleep. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 329 East State Street, with Pastor Jane Harris officiating. Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania, from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family of Karen Cornick. 

To watch Karen's service click here: Karen's service

Karen, the daughter of Hans and Anna Marie Brood, Danish immigrants, was born on March 29, 1929, in Dougherty, Iowa. Karen attended Swaledale Schools and graduated in 1947 from Swaledale High School. She then attended the Teaching School at UNI and taught for a few years in a schoolhouse north of Swaledale.

She was united in marriage to Al Cornick in Mason City, Iowa, on May 23, 1953, and to this union was blessed with seven children. After Al passed away in 1997, she enjoyed spending time with Lee Olson until his passing in 2012.

Karen will be remembered for her wonderful smile, her contagious laughter and quick wit, her energy, her competitive nature and her devotion to her family. She cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and always made it a priority to attend their many extracurricular activities. Karen was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She enjoyed swinging the golf club (with the occasional hole in one), bowling, dancing and cheering on her beloved Cyclones. As her grandchildren began attending college, she also added their respective college sports to her watch list. In her later years she enjoyed evening rides in an old Chevy truck along with a McDonald’s treat, visits from cherished friends and family and good snacks.

Karen is survived by her children: Lee (Vickie) Cornick; Lynn (Gail) Cornick; Jeff (Peggy) Cornick; Julie (Jed) Ellerbroek; Jon (Robyn) Cornick; Jim (Jeanne) Cornick; Lori Angell (Mike Rasmuson); her grandchildren: Troy (Jocelyn) Cornick and their two children; Andrew Cornick and his three children; Ben Cornick; Kinsey (Lexus) Cornick and their child; Cameron (Ashlyn) Cornick and their two children; Kendall (Jared) Baier; Katrina Cornick; Jed Jr. (Amanda) Ellerbroek and their three children; Joseph (Sara) Ellerbroek and their two children; Nick (Ali) and their three children; Travis (Abby) Ellerbroek and their three children; Jacob Cornick; Jenna (Julian) Leirer and Jess Cornick; Carter Angell, Jordan Angell, Meredith Angell and Annika Angell; Tyler Rasmuson, Jordan Rasmuson and Carter Rasmuson; and brother Robert Brood and sister Esther Ward, along with many nieces and nephews.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Hans and Anna Marie; her husband, Al; her friend Lee Olson; her brothers Jacob (Jack); Hans (Jim); Harold; and granddaughter Tammy Cornick.

Karen’s family would like to express their gratitude to Terri’s Home Health Care and St. Croix Hospice for their care and support during her time of need.