Karen B. Larson
October 29, 1938 - November 12, 2018
Obituary
LAKE TOMAHAWK-Karen Louise Larson, 80, of Lake Tomahawk, died on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, in Madison, surrounded by family. She passed away from complications caused by esophageal cancer. Karen was born on October 29, 1938, in Wausau, to parents Melvin and Bernice Trantow.
Karen graduated with a nursing degree from the Evanston School of Nursing, and earned a Masters in Public Health degree from Oklahoma City University. For many years, she served as the director of community services for the Marathon County Healthcare Center in Wausau.
Karen was a bright light to many, with diverse interests and talents. She was a master gardener, a voracious reader and founder of book clubs, a skilled artist and painter, a gourmet cook, a frequent entertainer at her home on Two Sisters Lake, an avid follower and debater of politics and social issues, and an adventurous traveler most recently exploring Sicily, Italy. Her grandchildren know her as Cousins Camp Counselor and the one who always had a program. Her lifetime of service spanned the lives she touched through community mental health programs in Wausau, and most recently, through the Caritas service mission at St. Matthias Church in Minocqua. Many will also recall Karen as one-half of a beloved and generous couple, with her husband Dr. David Larson, who passed away in 2012.
Karen is survived by her six children, Kimberly (Ed) O'Connor of Sun Prairie, Kenton Bradshaw of Rhinelander, Holly (Jeff) Eversoll of Stoughton, Holly Larson of Durham, NC, Kristen (Greg) Larson Blair of Chapel Hill, NC, and Joshua (Kim) Larson of Mill Valley, CA. Karen is also survived by nine grandchildren, Reilly, Kieran, and Aidan O'Connor, Jackson and Parker Eversoll, Austin and Katie Blair, and Izzy and Reese Larson.
Services are being held Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 at ST. MATTHIAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 403 E. Chicago Ave., Minocqua, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Karen Larson’s memory to the Caritas service mission at St. Matthias: Caritas-Minocqua, P.O. Box 936, Minocqua, WI 54548. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
DD
Debra Denissen
Other •
Karen was my supervisor on E-unit of North Central Health care, every morning Karen would walk around and great all the residents, she was a wonderful nurse to work for, Thank you Karen for being you. Rest in peace.
K
KARENRADLOFF
Other •
DEAR FAMILY, YOUR MOM & I WERE NEIGHBOR'S WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN. I THINK YOUR GRANDMA NAMED HER AFTER ME. I CAME ACROSS YOUR GRANDPARENTS WHEN THEY LIVED ON HWY. 17 NORTH OF MERRILL. I HAD WORKED AT THE RED OWL AT THE TIME. I LOOKED AT HER & FOR SOME REASON I HAD RECOGNIZED HER. HAD NOT SEEN HER IN YEARS. WE STOPPED AT THEIR PLACE A TIME OR TWO.
SENDING MY SYMPATHY TO ALL. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU, TAKE CARE.
KAREN (KLUG) RADLOFF
LK
Lisa Krause
Other •
My condolences go out to Kent, Holly, Kim, Josh and all of Karen’s adorable grandchildren. My mother, Mary Sue Damgaard was a life long friend and will miss her very much. My mom and I are grateful that we had a visit with her in Madison following her hospitalization. Take Care, Lisa Krause, Madison and Minocqua, Wisconsin.
JB
Jeannine Berg
Other •
It is so hard to put into words the feeling of sorrow over the death of Karen. She was the quintessence of living life fully every minute of every day. I enjoyed the five trips we shared and always knew to expect the unexpected with her. We loved Cuba, Key West, the Everglades, and Bayfield, but were amazed by the beauty of the Grand Canyon in the winter. We were in the process of planning another trip to Key West. I treasure these memories and send heartfelt sympathy and love to Kim, Kent, Holly and Josh and their families during this painful time.
KS
Kathleen Schneck
Other •
Dear families of Karen Larson, My deepest sympathy for the recent loss of your dear mother. I am deeply grateful that Karen hired me as a caseworker at NCHCF in a great program providing community services. It was a truly bright and dynamic group of people to work with. She was innovative,hard working and had a little bit of a bohemian-like way about her which I loved. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Kathy Grundy Schneck