Karen L. Abels, 79, of Davenport, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at Davenport Lutheran Home. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 24, 2018 in the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2018 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the mortuary. Burial will be in the National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com. Karen was born on October 5, 1938 to Raymond and Dorothy (Talbot) Lancial in Tracey, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Walter Abels on April 12, 1958 in Davenport. They celebrated 60 years of marriage. Karen was the epitome of unconditional love. She was the number one spoiler of her children and grandchildren and gave the absolute best bear hugs. The children in the neighborhood called her “Grandma Abels”. She had a great sense of humor and was always telling jokes. Karen taught her grandchildren to drive and was known as the “Grandma taxi”. She made every holiday special with large meals and sending handwritten cards to her family. She enjoyed dancing, roller skating, and later going shopping and lunch with her family. Survivors include her husband, Walter; children: David Abels, Deborah (Anthony) Vanover, Joseph (Becky) Abels, Mark (Dianne) Abels and Jeanne Neece; grandchildren: Tiffany (Joe) Sloma, Kayla Vanover, Robert Abels, Randy (Trina) Abels, Nicole Neece, Matthew Neece, Jeremy Abels and Luke Abels; great grandchildren: Keyera Abels, Vader Abels and Isabel Sloma; and brother, Thomas (Annie) Lancial. She was preceded in death by her parents. The family would like to thank Davenport Lutheran Home for the wonderful care of Karen and her family.