1

Obit: Green, Leonard P. (1948 – 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Green, Carolfi

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 03 May 2023

Green, Leonard P. (20 Oct 1948 – 25 Apr 2023)
Leonard P. Green, 74, Marshfield, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Marshfield Medical Center.

Committal services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at West Spencer Cemetery in the town of Sherman followed by full military honors for Mr. Green’s service to his country. Following the committal services at the cemetery, relatives and friends are invited out to the Country Aire Restaurant in Stratford for fellowship and a luncheon.

Leonard was born to Dever and Freda Green on Oct, 20, 1948, in Stanley. He graduated from Loyal High School. He served his country in the United States Army from 1969-1971. He was stationed in Germany. For his service, he earned a National Defense Service medal. He started working at Ranch Cheese Factory when he was 16 years old. He then went on to work for Weyerhaeuser in Marshfield for 24 years and retired from IROW Industrial Recyclers, where he was employed for 17 years as a semi-truck driver.

On Oct. 9, 1971, he was united in marriage to Barbara “Barb” Carolfi at Grace Lutheran Church in the town of Green Valley.

Leonard was a member of the “Lonely Few Motorcycle Club” and was an avid Harley Davidson fan. He loved to play the jukebox and enjoyed old-time country music and rock ‘n’ roll. He enjoyed watching the old “good” Westerns on TV. He and his wife Barb loved to go snowmobiling or attend local drag races.

Those who will cherish his memory include his loving wife, Barb; his sons, William “Bill” (Janice) Green and Michael Green; and his grandchildren, Hayley, Corben, Owenn, Jacob and Nickolas. He is further survived by his mother, Freda Green; and his sister, Alice (Ron) Krause.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dever Green; his sister, Diane Green; his brother, Dale Green; and both his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Leonard’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home, Spencer. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com

2

School: Loyal H.S. – FBLA Competition (2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Wolf, Vircks, Lathrop, Bogdonovich

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 03 May 2023

Loyal High School students: Addysen Wolf, Jonah Vircks, Sam Lathrop and Maci Bogdonovich have taken part in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitions. Regionals were at Owen-Withee High School on Feb. 4; state was April 17-18 at Green Bay. Wolf competed in intro to FBLA and took first at regionals and third at state. She will advance to the national competition, June 26-30 in Atlanta, Ga. Vircks competed in the public service announcement category and took second at regionals and eighth at state. Lathrop tested in computer applications, took first at regionals and participated at state. Bogdonovich completed a job interview, took second at regionals and did not participate at state.

3

School: Loyal H.S. – Class of 1988 (35th Reunion – 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Gardner, Schmidt, Redig, Fulwiler, Tinkey, Kath, Pachal, Thom, Willcome, Vanvoorhees, Ruth, Noll, Fricke, Roehl, Schultz, Rowley, Zuehlke, Hagen, Milz, Landini, Braun, Lampsa, Dietsche, Kleinschmidt, Tarter, Miller, Olsen, Hannan, Edwards, Schoonover, Pieper, Schecklman, Seliskar, Hetchler, Johnson, Kauffman, Noeldner, Olson, Koski, Hesse, Berglund, Rinehart, Krasselt, Esselman, Boehning, Meyer, Pipkorn, Wepfer, Beyerl, Kohel, Phipps

----Source:  TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 03 May 2023 (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 03 May 2023

The Loyal High School Class of 1988 held its 35-year reunion April 30 at the Loyal American Legion.
Those present were: Nikki (Gardner) Schmidt, Charlene (Redig) Fulwiler, Roy Tinkey, Todd Kath, Gloria (Pachal) Thom, Pat Willcome, Bridgette (Schmidt) Vanvoorhees, Lisa (Rueth) Noll, Kim Fricke-Roehl, Brenda (Schultz) Rowley, Fred Zuehlke, Elaine Hagen, Julie Milz-Landini, Carla (Braun) Lampsa, Tammy (Dietsche) Kleinschmidt, Charlotte (Redig) Tarter, Dori (Miller) Olsen, Nancy (Hannan) Edwards, Viki (Schoonover) Pieper, Lori (Schecklman) Seliskar, Katie (Hetchler) Johnson, Kip Kauffman, Rick Rueth, Kevin Noeldner, Brian Lampsa, Mike Olson, Grant Koski, Dave Hesse, Mark Berglund, Dave Miller, Bob Schultz, Robert Rinehart, Cory Krasselt, Ron Esselman and Doug Roehl. Those forever in our hearts are Shane Boehning, Danny Meyer, Brian Pipkorn, Barb (Wepfer) Olson, Steve Beyerl, Brad Kohel and Tony Phipps.

4

Obit: Bender-Cook, Alice (1926 – 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Pfeffer, Bohman, Bender, Cook, Bauer, Bruesewitz

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 3 May 2023

Bender-Cook, Alice (19 Feb 1926 – 1 May 2023)
Alice Bender-Cook, age 97, passed away peacefully at Colby Senior Care on Monday, May 1, 2023, after a short battle with cancer.

Alice was born in Stratford on February 19, 1926, to Joseph and Rosa (Pfeffer) Bohman. She graduated from Stratford High School. On October 11, 1947, she married Brice Bender at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stratford. They dairy farmed in the township of Frankfort until Brice’s death on January 13, 1991. On May 20, 1992, Alice married Roderick “Rod” Cook. He preceded her in death on March 8, 2016.

Alice was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Colby. She was very active in 4-H and was a youth leader for many years with the Cherokee Chums. She also was a part of the Extension Homemakers where she held several leadership roles. Knitting, crocheting and stitchery were hobbies she enjoyed, however, family gatherings were her true love!

Alice is survived by her children: Diane (Steve) Bauer, Stevens Point, Duane (Carol - special friend) Bender, Colby, Daniel (Deborah) Bender, Colby, Dean (Sue) Bender, Dorchester; ten grandchildren: Chad (Erin) Bender, Colby, Angela (Keith) Bruesewitz, Stratford, Kurt (Julie) Bender, New Richmond, Brian (Ivy) Bauer, Heartland, Ashley Bender (Jeremy), Withee, Devin Bender (Brianna), Dorchester, Brentin (Taylor) Bender, Abbotsford, Cara Bender (Dylan), Owen, Erin Bender, Dorchester, and twenty-three great-grandchildren. She is further survived by stepsons: David (Virginia) Cook, Evansville, Ind.; Michael (Juanamaria) Cook, Columbia, Mo.; Gary (Monica) Cook, Statesville, N.C.; Kevin (Pamela) Cook, Whitehouse Station, N.J.; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by husbands: Brice Bender and Rod Cook; brothers: Alfred, Tony, Joseph, Louis, Felix and Harvey Bohman and stepson, Ronald Cook.

Alice will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Special thanks to the staff at Colby Senior Care for their wonderful and loving care. We would also like to thank St. Croix Hospice for their support.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at noon at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Parish in Colby on Monday, May 8, 2023. Interment to follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Father Michael Hayden will preside. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Cherokee Chums 4-H Club. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. 

5

Obit: Wojtczak, Daniel (1934 - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Wojtczak, Podlaszewski, Gasch, Sparks, Bull, Kasun, Sommer, Bennett, Wentz

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/6/2023

Wojtczak, Daniel (6 April 1934 – 3 May 2023)

Daniel Wojtczak was born on April 6, 1934, to Leon and Johanna (Podlaszewski) Wojtczak and went to be present with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 3, 2023.

He grew up on the south side of Milwaukee where he attended neighborhood schools for elementary, junior high, and high school. He had a love of numbers in school and learned to play the drums. He played in the band, dance band and orchestra. At 12 years old he started a paper route, and did this for three years, making $7.50 a week, (which, according to Dan, "was a lot of money"). At 17 years old, he began working at Teledyne Wisconsin Motors as a blueprint boy, and worked his way up to Manufacturing Liaison Engineer. He met his future wife, Patricia Gasch, there at age 19, and married her in 1954 at 20 years old. She was 19 years old when they married. He remained working for Teledyne for 39 years, raising his family in Milwaukee until he and Pat built a house in East Troy in 1971. Dan and Pat lived there for 27 years until moving to Neillsville in 1998.

Daniel was an avid sportsman. He loved bowling, dartball, softball, hunting, fishing and golf. Golf was his favorite sport, as he even worked at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Cadott mowing the roughs, just to be on the course. He was a frequent spectator at high school football and basketball games. Dan looked forward to weekly car rides on the back roads of Clark County with his wife Pat, hoping to see a variety of wildlife, and then off to a local diner for breakfast or lunch.

He was part of the building crew for Living Hope Evangelical Free Church. Dan personally stained and varnished all of the woodwork for the church in his own basement. For several years, Dan and Pat copied and folded the weekly church bulletin.

Daniel is survived by his wife of 69 years, Patricia (Gasch), 5 children, Barb (Phil) Sparks of Mukwonago, Jeannie (Greg) Bull of Cazenovia, Judi (Tim) Kasun of Brookfield, Al (Jean) Wojtczak of Medford and Dean (Heather) Wojtczak of Cadott, sister, Bernadine (Wojtczak) Sommer of Milwaukee, 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Johanna (Podlaszewski) Wojtczak and brother, Eugene Wojtczak.

Funeral Services for Daniel will be held at 11:11 a.m., Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Neillsville, WI. Pastor Steven Wentz will officiate. A private family interment will be in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery near Vesper, WI. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Thursday at the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church.

Pallbearers will be Daniel grandsons, Henry Wojtczak, Zach Wojtczak, Jonathan Kasun, Joshua Bennett, Matthew Bennett, Derek Bennett and Benjamin Sparks.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Daniel's family with Funeral arrangements.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daniel Wojtczak, please visit our flower store.
 

6

Obit: Hanson, Karin M. (1939 - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hanson, Talley, Reid, Jarchow, Schorer, Meyer, Hinrichs

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 5/8/2023

Hanson, Karin M. (22 March 1939 – 29 November 2023)

Karin M. Hanson, 83, of Colby was born on March 22, 1939, and passed away Nov. 29, 2022.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life service that will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Spencer WI at 11 a.m. with Pastor Tim Hinrichs presiding. Lunch and visitation to follow the service.

Karin married Donald A. Hanson on July 20, 1957. Karin was a wonderful mother and homemaker. She held several jobs through her lifetime. She was active in church activities including choir director, Agape Circle, Church Council Member and Sunday School teacher. Karin liked to bake and loved spending time with her family. Her heart and door were always open to everyone.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Donald, sister Carol Talley, six children, Pam (John) Reid, Terry (Diane) Hanson, Rick (Susan)Hanson, Steve (Lisa) Jarchow, Dennis (Teri Lynn) Schorer, Penny (Randy) Meyer, 16 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
Love is patient, love is kind, love never fails.

7

Obit: Hoffarth, Martha J.(1946 - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hoffarth, Beaudoin, Longtin, Hansen, Becker, Carpenter, Morin, Thompson, Van Pietersom, Saylor

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 5/8/2023

Hoffarth, Martha J. (15 December 1946 – 6 May 2023)

Martha J. Hoffarth, age 76, of Marshfield, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, May 6, 2023, surrounded by her loving family and faithful dogs.

Martha Jean Longtin was born on December 15, 1946, in Walhalla, ND to Henry J. and May E. (Beaudoin) Longtin. She was raised and received her education in Walhalla, graduating from Walhalla High School in 1965. Martha was united in marriage Jerome J. Hoffarth on January 23, 1964, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla, ND. They were the proud parents of Tammy, Bryan, Carrie, and Pamela. They lived in Milwaukee, where Martha was a proud mother and homemaker. In 1976, they bought and ran a dairy farm in Greenwood, until 1993. After selling the farm, they bought a 40-acre hobby farm in Owen. Martha worked at County Market in Abbotsford, and then the Abby Inn until her retirement in 2008. After the passing of her beloved husband in 2010, Martha and her youngest daughter Pam, bought a house together in Weston, where they lived until 2014. They then bought a house together in Marshfield, where she lived until her death.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, and especially loved watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren being born and raised. Family was the most important thing to her, and she was a terrific mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She had a smile that could warm any heart. Martha helped Pam with her in home daycare and loved each of those kids until her dying day.

She had many interests including; baking homemade bread, making food for loved ones and friends, watching the birds, listening to classic country music, attending her Catholic church, and loved her puppies Emma, Haley, and Abby. They brought her so much joy over the past 13 years.

Martha is survived by her loving children: Tammy (Doug) Hansen of Willard, Bryan (Peggy) Hoffarth of Granton, Carrie (CJ) Becker of Greenwood, and Pam Hoffarth of Marshfield; nine grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; two brothers: Lonnie (Gerry) Longtin of Walhalla, ND, Clair (Susie) Longtin of Cavalier, ND; her sister-in-law: Irene Longtin of West Fargo, ND; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Jerome of 46 years, her parents, three sisters: Orise Carpenter, Birdella Morin, Priscilla Thompson, and four brothers: Cyril, Paul, Elmer, and Wayne Longtin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Spencer, with Rev. Barry Saylor officiating. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Loyal. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Jacob Hansen, Caryn Van Pietersom, Justin Hansen, Evan Hoffarth, Jason Hansen, Clayton Becker, Zachary Hoffarth, Greg Becker, and Travis Becker. Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the church from 9-11 a.m.

A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Compassus hospice home health, Fr. Barry Saylor for visiting and praying with Mom over the past few months, our cousin Kathy Cambridge for all her help and support, and many thanks to all our dear family and friends for all the food, gift cards, money, phone calls, messages, and love shown to Martha and her family during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given in Martha’s name.

8

Obit: Wellner, Barbara A. (1946 - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Wellner, Grignon, Junker, Rudolph

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 5/7/2023

Wellner, Barbara A. (27 September 1946 – 5 May 2023)

Barbara A. Wellner, age 76, of Abbotsford, Town of Holton, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023, in Marshfield.

Barbara was born on September 27, 1946, the daughter of Elmer and Virginia (Grignon) Junker in Marshfield. She attended the Rosedale one room country grade school, and graduated with the “distinguished class of 1964” from Dor-Abby High School. After high school Barb was employed by Badger Basket in Edgar, riding her small motorcycle 20 miles to work every day. Upon graduating from NTC in Wausau, Barb was employed by ITT Thorp Corp. in the home office accounting dept.

Barb and Charles Wellner were united in marriage on October 25, 1974, after which they purchased the home farm from Barb’s parents in the Town of Holton, Marathon County which Charles and Barb still own and operate today. In 2020 the farm was recognized as a “Century Farm” by Marathon County and by the State of Wisconsin. In 2001 they got it certified organic, and they received many quality awards over the years. Charles and Barb have been members of both the State and National Holstein Association for over 40 years.

Barb was known for her strong work ethic and was an inspiration to their younger employees to be the best they could be, with some of them even calling Charley and Barb their “second set of parents”. Barb could either be found working alongside her husband in the fields driving her beloved orange “Allis Chalmers” tractors, or devotedly caring for their dairy herd of her favorite black and white Holsteins. She had many dear kitties, and they all had names. She considered it a privilege to be a farmer and care for God’s creation of the land, plants and animals. From a youth on she spent countless hours enjoying and valued the beautiful west branch of the Big Eau Plaine River that runs through their property.

In Barb’s younger years she enjoyed sports and played for a time with the Unity Women’s Softball League. She always looked forward to their annual winter vacation when she and Charley made the trip to the U.P. to downhill ski at Powderhorn and Indianhead. Barb had a collection of toy vintage metal barns, which Charley and her displayed at various farm toy shows, taking best of show awards.

Barb from very young on was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, and she and Charley enjoyed extensive travel on their motorcycles. Barb especially liked riding the curvy, winding roads in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Barb and Charley had the opportunity in 2012 to tour the entire west U.S. coast with Organic Valley CO-OP and in 2016 they toured seven western Europe Countries.

Barb had a quiet and mild spirit. She enjoyed traveling, music, reading, the art of painting, and had a gift of writing poetry about things that were dear to her. Barb had a humble, down to earth personality, and she had dear friends and was well liked by others.

Barb was a life-long member of the Dorchester Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents and a sister; Donna Rudolph. Survivors are her husband; Charles, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at the Marshfield Clinic Health Care System for their excellent care and concern, also the staff at Serenity Living and the Promedica hospice care team as well as the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home for their assistance with the arrangements.

Abiding by Barb’s wishes, only private family burial services will be held.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. 

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Barbara, please visit our Tree Store or plant a tree.

9

School: Greenwood H.S. – Prom (2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Thomas, Reiff, Lindner, Mitte, Johnson, Walde, Kaetterhenry, Eckes, Trampush, Stieglitz, Rowe

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 10 May 2023

Greenwood High School students enjoyed prom Saturday night. Shown are: court members Luke Thomas, Sarah Beth Reiff, Levi Lindner, Tiffany Mitte, Kody Johnson, Britney Walde, King Andy Mitchell, Queen Lorella Kaetterhenry, Cody Eckes, Lainey Trampush, Mason Stieglitz and Breanna Rowe.

10

Bio: Healy, Caden – Colby WIAA Scholar-Athlete (2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Healy

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 10 May 2023

Colby senior Caden Healy was recognized as a WIAA scholar-athlete at an awards ceremony held in Wausau this past Sunday. The award recognizes excellence both on the field and in the classroom over the student-athletes’ four years of high school and is handed out to just 32 senior student-athletes across the state of Wisconsin each year.

Healy became just the second Colby student-athlete to receive the award, which was created in 1984. Hannah Mueller also won the honor in 2009. The 32 recipients this year were narrowed down from 841 nominations from 454 public and private schools, a testament to the competitive nature of the award.

“I appreciate that I was nominated and selected for the award,” Healy said. “It’s a pretty cool honor.”

Over his four year prep career, Healy has put together an impressive list of achievements across three different sports. In football, he received first team all-conference honors following both his junior and senior seasons, was named the Marawood Player of the Year in 2022, and won numerous statewide awards for his performance during his senior season. He also helped to contribute to Colby’s most recent state championship in 2021. He collected over 2,500 yards rushing and receiving and 42 touchdowns, as well as over 100 tackles during his varsity career on the team. He also won conference championships in track and made it to the state competition in both 2021 and 2022. In basketball, Healy was a four time varsity letter winner and was named to the all-conference team following his senior year.

While a lot of focus is often placed on the “athlete” portion of this award, it also speaks to the academic achievements of its recipients as well. Healy has proven to excel in the classroom and extracurriculars such as a three-year stint on the student council and two years of participation on the school’s math league team speak to a drive outside of the sports arena as well.

Participating in sports and putting in the work in the classroom have had positive effects on one another. A mind set to be to attack all aspects of his life with the same tenacity he demonstrates on the field or court has been a key to success outside of the field of play as well.

“I’ve always done everything with a little bit of intensity in sports,” Healy said. “And I’ve tried to find that drive in both [athletics and academics]. You drive to get things done right away, then you drive to go as hard as you can in both.”

Teamwork and leadership are skills he has also picked up on the field that he hopes have translated to other aspects of his life.

“In football, it doesn’t matter how good anyone is. Without your teammates, you aren’t going anywhere,” he added. “You need all eleven guys on the same page and when that happens, it’s pretty powerful.”

As graduation draws near, Healy has had some time to reflect back on what his time at Colby High School has meant to him.

“I appreciate all the teachers here; they’ve all helped me in some way or another,” he said. “And growing up here, growing up with my classmates and teammates, I appreciate the friendship that we all created with each other.”

Looking ahead to his next challenge, Healy will be looking to study civil engineering while playing football at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The choice to pursue engineering, according to Healy, was an easy one to make. He has always found the technical side of machines interesting, an interest born of helping to tinker with tractors and other machines growing up. Add to that a general love of math and science and the engineering track seemed the perfect fit. Healy is set to start that journey this coming fall.

Regardless of where life takes him, Healy noted that he will be always grateful for everything the school and the people in it have provided him.

“Everybody here had some role in who I am today and I’ll never forget that.”

11

Obit: Redmann, Karen L. (1939 – 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Redmann, Parsch, Runzheimer

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 17 May 2023

Redmann, Karen L. (31 Aug 1939 – 4 May 2023)

Karen L. Redmann, age 83, passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Mercy Hospital & Trauma Center.

She was born on August 31, 1939, the daughter of Walter and Lorinda (Parsch) Runzheimer. Karen was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby and confirmed at Christ Lutheran, Abbotsford. She was united in marriage to Ray F. Redmann of Edgar on June 17, 1961, also at Christ Lutheran Church, Abbotsford.

Karen was a class of 1957 graduate of Colby High School. She attended the Marathon County UW Center and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UW-Whitewater. She did post graduate work at Concordia College, River Forest, Ill.

Karen taught English at senior high schools in East Troy and Janesville. She taught language arts and classroom music at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Janesville for 28 years. She was a member of St. Paul’s Blue Ribbon Schools committee and the school building addition committee. As a long-time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Karen was a past member of the Adult Choir, Adult Fellowship Club, the church’s 125th Anniversary Committee, and the Altar Guild. She also served as a Bethel Lifelight Bible studies group leader, Mission Education Committee, and the Mission Education Committee of the South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Karen was also a member of the Milton Historical Society, past Milton Historical Society Board of Directors and secretary. She also served as a docent at the Milton House National Historic Landmark for many years.

Karen is survived by her children: Dean and Dawn; two sisters: Beverly Yagow and Susan (Jamil) Khan; three brothers: Lee (Kitty) Runzheimer, James (Jan) Runzheimer and Mark (Carol) Runzheimer; many nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; son, David, and her parents.

A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Janesville, with Pastor Dan Decker presiding. Interment will be in Milton Lawns Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at the church from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service. Schneider Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com. Memorials are preferred to the “Family Tuition Assistance Fund” at St. Paul’s, or to the “South Wisconsin District of the LCMS Domestic Mission Projects,” Milwaukee, WI.