Obit: Harouff, Karen J. (1951 – 2016)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Harouff, Rakovec, Anderson, Benzine, Crane, Wolf, Aumann

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 07 Dec 2016

Harouff, Karen J. (2 JUN 1951 – 8 DEC 2016)

Karen J. Harouff, 65, formerly of Loyal, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, at Copperleaf Memory Care in Schofield with family by her side, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. A private committal will be held at a later date.

Karen J. Rakovec was born on June 2, 1951, to John and Doris (nee Anderson) Rakovec of Loyal. She graduated from Loyal High School in 1968 and from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in music education. After taking a teaching position in Alma, Neb., Karen met and married Norman Harouff on June 11, 1976. They later divorced. Karen held several teaching positions throughout her career in Wisconsin after leaving Nebraska, including Mercer, Marshfield Parochial School, Barneveld, Kendall and New Lisbon. Karen used her musical and teaching skills in a variety of ways. Along with directing bands and chorus, she enjoyed putting on musical programs with the elementary children she taught and sewed many of the costumes for these productions. She volunteered many years providing music for the Adult Bible Class for mentally challenged individuals in Greenwood and was the church organist at the Loyal Methodist Church for many years. Karen was an avid baker who enjoyed making and decorating cakes and on occasion would make cookies for the entire school to celebrate special occasions. Due to her health, Karen retired from teaching in 2007, moving back to central Wisconsin.

Karen is survived by her children: Amanda (Lance) Benzine of Madison and Christopher (Daria) Crane; her five grandchildren; her sisters: Delores (Arnold) Wolf of Chili and Terri (Brian) Aumann of Loyal; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Robert Rakovec.

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