Karen R. Mullin

Karen Ruth Mullin, 72, of Davenport died suddenly on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at her home. Memorial services are on April 16th at noon at the Runge Mortuary in Davenport. Online tributes and condolences may be left at www.therungemortuaty.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Karen’s name to the Habitat for Humanity organizations in either Davenport or Sioux City.

Karen was born on July 15, 1943 in Davenport, Iowa to Lois and Ross Chrysler. After Ross’ death, Lois’ second husband, Walter Haecker, adopted Karen. She worked as an X-ray technician in Davenport for twenty-five years before receiving her Bachelor’s degree in computer science from Marycrest College. She moved to Dayton, Ohio to work as a programmer for NCR Corporation. They transferred her to San Diego, California in 1984. While there, she earned a Master’s degree in management information systems from West Coast University. Her passion for learning led her to the Sociology department at the University of Cincinnati.

In January 1995, she co-published a Sociology textbook with Lynn Barteck titled Enduring Issues in Sociology: Opposing Viewpoints. After finishing her Ph.D. in Sociology, she taught at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota and later at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. Karen started the consulting firm Paradoxx Enterprise in 1984, writing grant applications and doing program evaluations for non-profit organizations up until her death.

Karen enjoyed reading, sewing, refinishing furniture, and watching Star Trek. She idolized Leonard Nimoy and had an extensive collection of Elvis memorabilia. Over the years, she sang in several barbershop choruses, quartets, and church choirs. Those who knew her recognized that Karen had a passion for helping others in any capacity, and was versatile in her ability to solve any problem.

Her mother, Lois Haecker, and her father, Walter Haecker, preceded Karen in death. Survivors include her long-time friend, Lynn Barteck and her children Lori (Dean) Thompson and her son Rob (Jackie) Kirkpatrick, brother Steven Ross Haecker, Davenport, Iowa, her sister Susan Stropes, Granger, Iowa, and brother Daniel (Sharon) Haeker, Monument, Colorado. Her son, Todd Mullin, Vista, California and daughter Andrea (Anthony) Cornett, Yuma, Arizona, and granddaughters Megan Guisti, San Diego, California and Ellen Guisti, Yuma, Arizona.