Obituary for Kari Jen (Schmitt) Blockhus

Kari Jen Blockhus, age 47, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2024 in Marion, Iowa. Her last days were spent in her beautiful new home surrounded by her family, and with the love of her life by her side. Kari was relentless in her battle with cancer. She fought it with complete and utter determination and dignity right to the last moment. 

Kari was born on October 4, 1977, in Oelwein, Iowa, the daughter of Kevin and Karen Schmitt, and spent the first years of her life in the town of Elgin. She moved to Solon, Iowa in 1987 and remained in the Solon and Cedar Rapids area until she settled in Marion with her husband Travis Blockhus. One of the driving forces of Kari’s life was both to live in and create for others a genuine feeling of nostalgia. This was evident from the movies she loved, to the music she played, right down to the way she could be anywhere in the country and find a hole in the wall place to eat that nobody but the lifelong locals even knew existed. She found a way, everywhere and always to live in the ambiance of “simpler times”. She was able to take that unique ability and pour it into the creation of the Good Vibes Cafe in Solon alongside her sister Krystal. Anyone that ever-stepped foot in that place was getting a small glimpse into Kari’s soul. It was her passion and one of the joys of her life to work side by side with Krystal who was not just her sister, but also her business partner and her best friend. They were able to build Good Vibes with a tremendous work ethic learned from their father, from whom Kari also inherited the unique talent of making the perfect batch of scrambled eggs that nobody else could ever replicate. 

It was from her mother that Kari obtained her love of Christmas. Between the two of them they could take enough Christmas decorations to transform a city block, and somehow find a way to tastefully display every last one in an average sized Midwest home. In addition to these things Kari loved traveling and attending concerts, was an excellent cook, and had the most perfect and beautiful smile. She was sweet and caring (unless you were trying to beat her at Gin) and she had the most impeccable ability to drop in the perfectly timed one liner with that quick wit and unique sense of humor she had. 
The ultimate culmination of a life spent shaping that nostalgic soul Kari had, was reconnecting with Travis, her elementary school classmate. From their first moment to her last day those two packed more love, life, and experiences into the short time they had together than most couples do in a lifetime. No one has ever been treated or cared for better than what Travis provided for Kari.

In the end, Kari never changed. She fought battles that would have brought even the strongest of people to their knees, but she never quit. Anyone that really knew her will never say that she lost her battle with cancer, because that is not what happened. Though cancer may have finally claimed her body, it never broke her spirit. She was not defeated. She was our Kari right to her last breath and she will be forever missed. 

Those left to cherish Kari’s memories are her husband, Travis Blockhus of Marion, IA; her step-children Michael Blockhus of Coral Springs, FL, and Paetyn Blockhus of Keota, IA; her siblings, Kelly (Matt) Haney of Seward, NE, Krystal (Logan) Nielsen of Solon, IA, Kasey (Theresa) Schmitt of Waterloo, IA, and Kami Schmitt of Iowa City, IA; and her parents Kevin and Karen Schmitt of Solon, IA

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, December 12th at:

Ashton Hill Farm 
803 Vernon Valley Dr, Cedar Rapids

1:00-4:00   Informal visitation/Time to greet the family
4:30-5:30   Service
6:00-8:00   Social time for celebrating Kari

Condolences for the family may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries. Flowers are welcome. Any cash gifts will be donated to local charities special to Kari.