Obituary of Jennifer Karasek

Jennifer (Jen) Marie Karasek was born in Des Moines, Iowa on May 6, 1977. She died January 22, 2026, at Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Jen was the eldest daughter of Shelly Donahue (nee Jones) and Dale Karasek. 

Her father, Dale, was her hero and her guardian. He passed away when Jen was only 18 years old, and this loss forged in Jen an incredible strength and independence. She demonstrated these attributes with grace and grit throughout her too-short life.

Jen attended both Des Moines Area Community College and Iowa State University, studying fashion design. She was an accomplished seamstress and had an eagle eye for style. She went on to become a celebrated makeup artist, working for a time in a leadership capacity at MAC Cosmetics, and also as a free-lance make-up artist. Jen provided make-up services for episodes of Dancing With The Stars, and also to several celebrities performing in Iowa, including Alicia Keys. A natural beauty in her own right, Jen was known for her creative make-up stylings and never failed to brighten any room that she entered.

It was during her freelance work that she met a male model who later became her beloved husband, Miguel Cornejo. They were married in 2000 and lived initially in Des Moines, Iowa and later, in La Paz, Mexico. While living in Des Moines, Jen and Miguel had two sons, Dylan, and Miguel Jr.  While living in La Paz, the family enjoyed happy times on Balandra Beach; Jen was known to love the ocean. She was an amazing cook; she could salsa dance, and she made incredibly good margaritas.

Jen and her boys moved to Iowa City in 2021, and she quickly established a broad community of friends. She was adored for her sparkling personality, her brilliant smile, and her sharp wit. But it was her endless spirit of generosity and helpfulness that ultimately won people over.  Jen was a giver, and a doer. She never hesitated to offer help to anyone in need. 

A dedicated and wonderful mother, Jen loved her boys with all her heart. She always sought to protect them and give them whatever advantages she could. She was loving, hard-working, and organized. Fiercely proud of her children, Jen instilled in them her bravery, her work ethic and her unflappable politeness. Her skills as a mother transferred perfectly to her work as a literacy and special education teacher, and later, a treasured nanny.

In addition to her beloved husband, Jen is survived by her children, Dylan and Miguel Cornejo-Karasek; her mother, Shelly Donahoe; her stepfather Arky Donahoe; her sister, Jessica Childers, and her nieces Loralie, Isabella and Addison Childers.

She was preceded in death by her father Dale, and her grandparents.

A Celebration of Life will be held at some point in the coming year.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to provide support for her sons, Dylan and Miguel Cornejo-Karasek. Donations may be sent c/o Gay and Ciha Funeral Home, 2720 Muscatine Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240.

Jen’s family and friends wish to thank Vanessa and Kelly of Iowa City Hospice, and Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County, for their dedication and care. 

Jen was deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew her.