Karen B. McCulloch

Karen B. McCulloch

October 07, 1955 - December 27, 2021

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Obituary

MADISON - Karen Boylan McCulloch, age 66, of Madison, passed away on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. Karen was born on October 7, 1955, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wis., the daughter of Robert and Mildred (Elliott) Boylan. She was an alumnus of St. Dennis Catholic Grade School and graduated from Robert M. LaFollette High School in 1973.

After graduation, Karen worked for WPS before becoming a licensed insurance agent and working with her dad at Bob Boylan & Associates for many years. Later, she was a well-known and respected picture framer at Ben Franklin, in Monona.

Karen met her husband and love of her life, William, Bill "Rosco" McCulloch, in 1971, while working together at a KFC restaurant and they married on Oct. 13, 1979, at St. Dennis Catholic Church. They had one son, Jesse McCulloch. Jesse has a son, Jude McCulloch. Both boys were Karen's pride and joy along with her faithful border collie, Abby. Family meant everything to Karen.


Karen loved being outdoors. She loved fishing, canoeing, kayaking, camping and working in her yard. She was an artistic person and loved crafting and spending time with family and friends. True to her Boylan roots, she loved music (especially the blues) and dancing. A recent highlight for Karen was being able to attend the Paul McCartney (her favorite Beatle) concert at the Kohl Center with Jesse and Jude.


Karen is survived by her son, Jesse; grandson, Jude McCulloch; her siblings, Pat Boylan (Doug) Gelb of Madison; Jerry Boylan of Greensboro, NC, Kathy (Tom) Wald of Madison, Tom Boylan of St. Paul, Minn., Steve (Catherine Cassidy) Boylan of Milwaukee and Brenda Boylan of Madison; sister-in-law, Sharon (John) Swiatek; brother-in-law, Dave (Louan) McCulloch; sisters-in-law, Lisa McCulloch and Anne McCulloch; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.


Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Bill "Rosco", on April 17, 2013; her parents; brother, James "Jimmy"; her in-laws, George and Evangeline "Vangi" (Endres) McCulloch; and brothers-in-law, Toby McCulloch, Terry McCulloch, Mike McCulloch and Jeff McCulloch.


A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420


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Barb Endres
Other •
So sad to hear of Karen’s passing away. I used to chat with her a lot at Ben Franklins. She was very talented and always a smile. Bill and her were a very devoted couple. My sympathy to Jesse, Jude and the family. Barb Endres
CJ
Cousin Barbara Jeanne
Other •
My memories of Karen, as one of our sweet younger cousins, was her charming lilting laughter and twinkling Irish eyes. Karen was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside🧡
SP
Sue Peterson
Other •
Wow! Hard to believe Karen is gone! I’ve been friends with Karen ever since she married Rosco. You see grew up with me! He lived across the street with a whole lot of brothers and one sister! I remember all the years we tried to get him to go out with girls! Finally he met Karen! Karen has not changed one bit in all the years I’ve know her! So friendly, always smiling, she was so happy with Rosco, then Jessie, then Jude! Her pride and joy! She was so fun, funny, huge heart especially for the critters! I love Karen! You know when Rosco passed I didn’t see her for the longest time! We talked on Facebook, but in May right before I took a trip to San Diego I called Karen! I told her how much I cared about her and how badly Iwanted to see her! We talked then said I was going to San Diego and would call her when I returned! I haven’t had a chance to call I can’t believe it and could not possibly believe she had passed! I got an E mail from a high school friend who said just “Karen McCullough had passed”! I looked everywhere!Finally started looking threw all her friends posts and finally found her sister! I am still in shock! She was so young but maybe just time to go to Roscoe! I mean she lost Bryce, and then the 2 youngest Mccollough’s boys!Just horrible for your families! She was just too young! I’m looking forward to celebration of life party! Karen needs to be honored! I still am so shocked! I loved that girl and was so sad when she lost Roscoe! He was her soul mate! She handled all that so well! That sadness never left her after she lost him! Karen I hope you’re my angel! I will really miss you! Sue Peterson 608-556-5242.

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