MADISON - Karen Eriksson was born in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1945 and passed away after a brief unexpected illness on April 6, 2023. Karen met her future husband Larry in Sunday school and remained friends all the way through West Allis Central High School, where they were co-valedictorians. They later married in 1967. Together with Larry, she raised Mark (Roberta) and Jodi (Jim), and now has five amazing grandchildren: Hannah, Ashley (Sam), Piper, Sydney, and Haylie.

Karen enjoyed providing childcare for her grandchildren and attending countless school programs, recitals, concerts, plays, ballet performances, and sporting events. Karen received her B.S. summa cum laude from Carroll University majoring in biology. After graduation, she underwent training as a medical technologist at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn. She later worked as a med tech at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minn., and St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis. After her career as a med tech, Karen received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Continuing, Adult, and Vocational Education from UW-Madison where she worked as a project assistant at UW-Extension. She also worked for various nonprofit organizations. She had an astute mind and was a great person to go to for thoughtful discussions and advice.

Karen excelled in a wide variety of artistic and craft activities including crocheting, knitting, weaving, paper making, dried flowers, fused glass, and stained glass. She enjoyed gardening, doing jigsaw puzzles, and playing games such as Sudoku, Ken-Ken, and UpWords. Karen loved animals and enjoyed taking care of several parakeets and her beloved dog, Misty.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and nana and will be greatly missed. In lieu of a funeral, please keep Karen’s family in your thoughts. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Karen R. Eriksson

March 24, 1945 - April 06, 2023

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