Karen A. Melchert

Sorry for your loss! I worked with Karen at Bank One in the bookkeeping department. Always remember her talking about her Her-man, daughter and son. With Caring Thoughts and Deepest Sympathy! Betty Stanek

Aunt Karen was a special person. She and my uncle Herman took me camping for the first time as a child, something that I later did with my own children almost every summer weekend. Karen opened her heart and home to me and taught me how to cook and bake while not caring how much of a mess I made of her kitchen. Karen introduced me to foods like tacos and other things that may be common now but over 50 years ago were new to my young tastebuds. When I was a child, Karen was always up for an impromptu picnic, a day at the zoo, or another outing she and Herman would plan. When I became an adult with children of my own, the picnics and outings continued, and sporting events were added to the mix—hockey games, brewer baseball, concerts, and of course, watching the Packers. Karen was a passionate Packer fan. She was always game ready- dressed in Packer’s gear, and always wore her iconic pinhole Packer glasses with pride! Karen never held back her exuberance and joy when the Packers scored or just made a great play, and she never held back her disdain if the refs got it wrong- Nobody could hoot or holler like Karen! So, it was always wise not to sit right next to her if you cherished your eardrums. Before Karen became too ill to travel, she and Herman attended almost every event they were invited to, whether it was a school play, a concert, peewee hockey, or track meets for their great nephews or nieces. They were part of our holidays, birthdays, and other events- whether the events were special or not. When Karen’s illness progressed, she and Herman still came to events as often as they could, but eventually, those times became fewer and fewer. Once COVID hit, everything stopped, making visits impossible. Herman’s love for Karen shone more brightly through everything and never flickered. It is a testament to all that witnessed it. True love does exist, and happy endings are possible no matter what life throws at you. Herman’s devotion to Karen is one of her most significant legacies…as very few are ever loved so much. When Karen passed, she looked one last time into Herman’s eyes with a sense of sadness for the loss she knew he’d experience once she was gone. Karen knew how much Herman loved her; even in death, she thought of the loss he’d soon feel. Karen was Herman’s everything, and their love went beyond words. Herman told me it was only after Karen passed that he fully understood what her eyes were telling him, “I know how much you love me, but I need to go- I know that you have made me your whole life; I love you for doing that. We will be together again, but I must go now. Please don’t be sad; I am only leaving your loving arms until we can be together again. I love you.” Karen, we love you- and our memories of you will live on in our hearts forever! XOXOX Tammie Murray