Kristina Navarro-Krupka

"There is no pain or sorrow which comes to us that has not first passed through the Heart of God." - Meister Eckhart, O.P. (1260-1327)

Platteville - Kristina Marie Navarro-Krupka, age 39, and her unborn daughter, Karina Maria Krupka, of Platteville, passed away from natural causes on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

Kristina lived life with a championship zeal, motivated by adventure, passionate and principled in her leadership, and deeply committed to her family. Of all the accomplishments and success Kristina achieved in a short but full life, her most coveted was becoming a mother, and her greatest gift was her love for her husband Nick and family.

Kristina was born on Nov. 29, 1983, in Madison, Wis., to parents Michael and Karen Meissen. She was baptized and confirmed at Lake Edge Lutheran Church. Kristina was educated in the Madison Metropolitan School District where she attended Elvehjem Elementary School, Sennett Middle School, and Robert M. La Follette Senior High School, graduating in 2002. Kristina received her Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where she was a member of the women’s track and field team, a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in Sports Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2019, Kristina met the love of her life, Nick Krupka, and they were married July 4, 2022.

Kristina was a distinguished scholar with many publications and held a chair position for numerous organizations, including the Executive Leadership Team AERA Research Focus on Education and Sport, Women Leaders in College Sport Student-Athlete Development, and the NASPA Committee on Student-Athlete Welfare. She was a member of the NACDA N4A Board of Directors, was an active member of the Women Leaders in College Sports organization and was an advocate for student-athlete development and women’s leadership initiatives. She served in leadership positions in the athletic departments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Oklahoma, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and most recently, as the Assistant Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Kristina was a lifelong athlete and competitive cyclist, who completed two Ironmen, and competed in countless cycling competitions throughout the country. She lived for the next adventure and was most happy on the lake, on the bike trail or in the mountains. Living life on the go and traveling the country with Nick in their van was her release.

Living with a core value of “all are included and welcome,” Kristina took an interest in everyone she met and made a strong impact on anyone around her. She had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone at any time. She was deeply devoted to her nieces, nephews, and all her “littles.” All called Kristina “fun aunt” for her adventurous spirit, kindness, and compassion.

Kristina is survived by her husband, Nick; father, Michael (Debbie Fairweather) Meissen; brother, Brad (Lauren) Meissen; sister, Katelyn (Jake) Keller; grandmothers, Mary Erickson and Patricia (Steve Aronson) Meissen; and grandfather, Marvin (Patty-Lee) Meissen; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Karen Ellen Meissen; grandfather, Donald Erickson; aunt, Kristin Erickson; and father and mother-in-law, Norbert and Mary Ann Krupka.

A visitation will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Dennis Catholic Church, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, with visitation at 10 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, with Father William Nolan presiding. The burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Karina Maria is loved and will be with her mother and Nick, “Always and Forever.”

The Most Important Person…on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral - a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body…The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in Gods creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation…What on God’s good earth is more Glorius than this: to be a mother?

-Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty

In lieu of flowers, the Dr. Kristina Marie Navarro-Krupka Memorial Fund was created by her family to carry on her legacy within the UW-Platteville Athletic Department.

This fund will support student-athletes and their athletic program in honor of Kristina for many generations to come. Link to memorial fund is below.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420