Karol E. White, 88 of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

It was Karol's wish to be cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The Boothby Funeral Home of Cherokee, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements. It was also Karol's request that no flowers be sent. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.

Karol was born on February 20, 1937, to Albert and Alma (Matzdorff) Grashoff in Aurelia, Iowa. She graduated from Aurelia High School. She was united in marriage on December 25, 1955, to Theodor "Ted" Jefferson White, Jr. in Aurelia, Iowa. She graduated from Faust Cosmetology School in 1983. Karol was an Air Force wife for eight years and during that time lived in Altus, Oklahoma and Dover, Delaware.

Karol was a cook at Swezey's at age 17. She was recently contacted prior to Swezey's reopening for the relish recipe, which she was glad to provide for them. She worked as a waitress at Speelman's. She worked in patient care at Cherokee Mental Health Institute. Karol was a cook at the Sunset Knoll nursing home in Aurelia.  She was also the manager of the Aurelia Casey's Gas Station when it opened. She owned and operated Hair By Us in Aurelia, where she was lucky enough to work with her daughter, Laurie. Karol bought a house in Aurelia, along with her sister, Laurine (Reeny), and renovated it to run as a bed and breakfast, Abby's Inn; named after their father. She loved creating new meals and desserts and did catering through Abby's Inn. She was a cook at Cherokee Regional Medical Center. She was also a chef at The Caboose in Alta.

Karol served on the Cherokee County Fair Board for several years and enjoyed her time with the "Over the Hill Gang", an area motorcycle club that sponsored races and activities in the area. In her younger years, Karol enjoyed bowling and was a member of a bowling league. She loved to play cards and scrabble with her family. When her kids were young, she was Cub Scout leader and Sunday school teacher. She loved going to their sporting events as well.  In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting, painting, playing bingo, and watching dirt bike races. She dabbled in many arts and crafts including pottery with her own potter's wheel and kiln. She enjoyed watching the birds from her kitchen window and feeding the deer there as well, as they became regular visitors for their daily bread. Karol also enjoyed passing on her baking skills to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ted White, an infant sister Ramona, siblings Kathleen (Russell) Allen, Boyd (Peggy) Grashoff, Laurine (Pat) Kludas, and Ray Grashoff.

Karol is survived by her four children Teri and Brian Chaffin of Cherokee, Iowa, Laurie and Randy Davis of Cherokee, Iowa, Chuck and Liz White of Aurelia, Iowa, and Boyd and Lisa  White of Cherokee, Iowa. She is also survived by Rusty and Dori Grashoff and Janet Radke. She is survived by 15 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A special thank you to Cherokee Regional Hospice for their excellent care. A special thank you to Lorena and the comfort she brought mom.