Surnames: Nekola, Kind, Rasmussen, Strebe, Schultz, Nikolai

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Monday, March 26, 2007

Nekola, Karen K. (18 Sept. 1944 - 22 March 2007)

Karen K. Nekola

Karen K. Nekola, 62, of Cary, Ill., formerly of Marshfield, Wisconsin, died at her home Thursday, March 22, 2007.

She was born Sept. 18, 1944, to Raymond E. and Ruth A. (Kind) Rasmussen in Greenwood, Wisconsin. Karen graduated from Marshfield High School in 1962 and worked as a medical assistant at the Marshfield Clinic. She married Russell Strebe in Marshfield in 1964 and later moved to Janesville, where she worked for many years at Parker Pen. With Russell, she had two sons, Kevin and Terry. After she and Russell divorced, she married Chuck Nekola in 1987 in Janesville and relocated to Cary, Ill.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Chuck, and her sons, Kevin (Kelly) Strebe, Janesville, and Terry (Lori) Strebe, Wauwatosa. She was a loving grandmother to Kristopher, Kurtis, Grace and Marc. She is further survived by her mother, Ruth Rasmussen of Marshfield, and her brothers and sisters, Jean Rasmussen of Marshfield, Linda (Rick) Schultz of Marshfield, Glen (Susie) Rasmussen of Larkspur, Colo., Bonnie Rasmussen of Plymouth, Minn., Dennis (Bonnie) Rasmussen of Marshfield and Penny (Don) Nikolai of Marshfield.

Her father, Raymond Rasmussen, proceeded her in death in January 2005.

Known for her sense of humor, devotion to family and love of animals, Karen will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure to know and love her.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 29, 2007, at Faith Lutheran Church in Marshfield with the Rev. Tricia Turner officiating. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until time of the services at the church Thursday.

Memorial donations may be given in Karen's name. Please consider a contribution to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org, or support for continued stem cell research www.stemcellresearchfoundation.org.

Rembs/Kundinger Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.