Wayne Karr

Wayne Karr, 78, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Celebration of Life Gathering: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, September 19, 2020, at Calvin Sinclair Presbyterian Church: 715 38th Street SE, Cedar Rapids. Face coverings and social distancing will be required. Private Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, is caring for Wayne and his family. Survivors include his wife, Jan; children, David (Mindy) Karr, Sandy (Bill) Anderson, Steve (Deborah) Karr, Scott (Becky) Person, and Amy (Anthony) Arrington; grandchildren, Brittany Torres (Emeterio), Carissa (Brent) Votroubek, Kearsten Karr (Codi Esayenko) and Kailee Karr, Jessica Karr, Mariah Peck (Ryan Mains) and Halle Person (Shane Smyth), Alanna Arrington (Clayton Bjornsen) and Amyah Arrington (Trey Sampson); great-grandchildren, Karra and Kaydence Votroubek, and Alivia and Jaiden Torres; former spouse, Betty Karr; and many extended family and friends. Wayne Ernest Karr was born January 28, 1942, in Cedar Rapids, to Oral and Georgia Karr. After his mother passed when he was very young, his beloved grandmother, Katherine Fiala, helped raise him. He graduated from Washington High School in 1960. Wayne worked in the grocery business throughout his life, including Eagle Food Center, which was purchased by Wayne to begin Carousel Foods. After Carousel Foods was closed, he began working for HyVee as a manager for many years, later working part-time—he couldn’t seem to get away from the grocery business. Wayne enjoyed coaching little league in Marion while his kids were young, and later became the commissioner of the Marion Baseball League when the boys were in high school. Over 30 years, he helped many young kids to play baseball, even having a field named after him. He was always honored to throw the first pitch when asked. Wayne was a faithful member of Calvin Sinclair Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder for many years. He met Janet Kitterman at work, and they were married October 12, 1991, in Cedar Rapids. Wayne and Jan enjoyed visiting local restaurants, and going on trips to the casinos with their friends. Wayne was a quiet guy, and could be found watching TV or a Hawkeye game with a Pepsi in hand. He enjoyed spending time with family, whom he cherished wholeheartedly. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kari Kay Person; parents; grandmother, Katherine; brother, Leroy; and aunts, Agnes Brewer and Cill Leach.