Karen Ann Peck
May 01, 1943 - July 02, 2018
Obituary
MADISON- Karen A. Peck, age 75, passed away peacefully in her home, on Monday, July 2, 2018, after a battle with cancer, which she fought with dignity and courage. Karen will be missed for so many, many things. Among them, her witty sense of humor, her sharp intellect, her lack of patience for wallowing in self-pity, and her absolute limitless and unending love and adoration for her grandchildren. Karen grew up in Winneconne, Wis., and her family struggled – and maybe that’s what led her to be so resourceful and full of spirit. Some of Karen’s favorite quips included “Roll with it” and “Suck it up” and “Look that up on Etsy (Ebay)”. She most enjoyed hitting garage sales and estate sales, tending to her garden, getting lost in a good book, sewing and knitting and playing with her grandchildren (loving many stuffed animal babies, enduring thousands of games of Uno, and watching with rapt attention every “really good show” her granddaughters put on). Karen will be remembered for her handmade Halloween costumes, her skills at taking down every opponent in Trivial Pursuit, and her appearance as Witchy Poo at the Peck family pumpkin farm (with her trusty cat-dog Jingles by her side). Karen’s kids and grandkids learned from her how to do for themselves – a gift that lasts forever. We will miss her political musings on Facebook, her ability to find the best Big Ass Bingo prizes, her delicious potato salad, and most of all her friendship, love, and companionship. Karen is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jim, whom she met at age 15 in Rhinelander, and who was her truest and best friend in life. Jim and Karen did everything together, from making a loving home for their family, traveling and adventuring, or buying and selling antiques. She is survived by her daughters, Jennifer and Tracy; and grandchildren, Liz, Maggie, Grant, and Tillie. She is further survived by siblings, Noreita, Richard, Deb, and Stuart as well as cousin, Carole who she cared for deeply. Karen was preceded in death by her brother, Gary; mother, Dorothy; and father, Grant. A time for sharing stories and visiting will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2 p.m., on Sunday, July 8, 2018. A memorial gathering will continue at the funeral home until 4 p.m., on Sunday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive Madison
608-221-5420
Events
Memorial Gathering
Sun Jul 8, 2018 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Karen have been shared yet.
Memories
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Carole Hogan
Other •
I hardly know where to begin with the wonderful memories I have of Karen. She was my cousin, but we were truly "soul sisters". Her family more or less "adopted" me as another sister and I am grateful for being able to be part of their life. My early memories include playing in a big tire sand box in their yard in Winneconne. I was a "farm girl", she was a "city girl" and she always teased me about how my mom always dressed me in dresses with ruffles, white stockings and patent leather shoes. We never lost touch while raising our families. We laughed together during good times, and supported each other in down times. We hit some garage sales and auctions together. Karen helped me get set up to sell on eBay to downsize my stash I had collected over the years. We once took a Pine Needle Basket Making Class together that we laughed ourselves through the entire class with those "damn small pine needles". and vowed never to do that again! I will always remember Karen for her smile, her sense of humor, her loyalty to her family, and the hours of laughter we shared together. She will always have a place in my heart.
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Sandra Hoger
Other •
All those birthday party's we shared with Jennifer and Lisa---how fun were they. Our mutual love of auctions and garage sales!! The fun times we had with Dorothy and Sally and Vivien and Uncle Earl--great memories for sure!!
NC
Noreita Carriere
Other •
As in all families, there were good times and bad; fun times and sad times; loving ties and angry times. Our family was unlike any other and yet we were exactly like every other family. As adults, there were many miles between us and a very long separation occurred. But always, Karen is my sister. She holds a special place in my heart and in my memories. She was smart, beautiful and intelligent. She deserved to live a longer life, to see her grandchildren grow up, to grow old gracefully with Jim, and, selfishly on my part, to spend time with a sister who realized (almost too late) how very special and important she is to me and everyone who knew her. My heart aches!