Karla K. Schramm, age 67, of Dubuque, IA, completed her earthly journey on March 15, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, while surrounded by her loving family.  To honor Karla’s life, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Karla’s family.

Karla was born on February 10, 1957, in Maquoketa, IA, a daughter to George A. and Darien M. (Schraff) Hayward.  Her main focus in life has always been her family and friends.  In her early years, she shared her time and talents as a CNA with different facilities around town.  Karla eventually spent the last eleven years as a bus driver for the Dubuque Regional Transit Authority and enjoyed meeting many new faces along the way.  She enjoyed traveling whenever possible and a day trip was never out of the question.  Karla even made a trip to Hawaii with her mother a priority at one point and the memories of that wonderful trip remain today to help ease the pain of her absence from our daily lives moving forward.  When she wasn’t traveling or at work, Karla was determined to spend as much time as possible with her grandsons.  Her heart belonged to them and every hour they were together, Karla was surely in her happy place.  It’s difficult to imagine a world without Karla’s quiet and kind-hearted demeanor residing among us, but we trust that she is now free from her earthly health battles.  Thank you, Karla, for sharing your love where and when you could and may the Lord now grant you the peace you deserve as we await patiently to see your beautiful smile once again. 

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Karla include,

her son, Richard Schramm II, Dubuque, IA;

her two grandsons,

Richie Schramm III,

and Mason Schramm, both of Dubuque, IA;

her mother,

Darien Hayward, Dubuque, IA;

her brothers,

Wade Hayward, Dubuque, IA,

and Larry Hayward, Bolivar, MO;

her sister-in-law,

Janice Hayward, Dubuque, IA;

along with numerous extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Karla was preceded in death by her father, George A. Hayward; her two infant grandsons at birth; her ex-husband, Richard Schramm;  her siblings, Susan Hayward, Louis Hayward, and Elaine (Larry) Flagel; her sister-in-law, Kathy Hayward; and her nephew, Chad Hayward.

Karla’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Mercy Hospital for all of their professional and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be shared with Karla’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com