Karen L. Stellmacher, age 80, of Fairwater, WI, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 at Barrett House in Ripon, WI.
Karen was born in Princeton, WI on April 10, 1941, the daughter of Victor and Leona (Jahns) Oelke. She graduated from Princeton High School. On May 13, 1961, she married Jimmie Stellmacher in Princeton. Jimmie passed away on April 28, 2016. Karen was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Markesan, WI, where she sang in the choir was a member of the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed quilting and was involved with a quilting group in Ripon. Karen also loved counted cross-stitch; knitting; crocheting; and tending to her flower beds. Karen cherished trips up north to Boulder Junction and spending the winter months in Florida with Jim. Her greatest passion was spending time with her grandchildren and attending all their sporting events.
Karen is survived by her daughter, Laurie (James) Sasada of Fairwater, WI; son, Jon (Sarah) Stellmacher of Fairwater, WI; four grandchildren, Jared (Alison) Sasada of Tomah, WI, Kailie Sasada (Nathan Heinz) of Waupaca, WI, Sage Stellmacher and Hannah Stellmacher both of Fairwater, WI; a brother-in-law, Gerald (Georgia) Stellmacher of Fairwater, WI; sister-in-law, Yvonne (Steve) Steele of Eden Prairie, MN; three nephews, Gary (Trisha) Stellmacher and their children, Madison and Max, Matt (Anne) Steele and their children, Colin and Ryan, Adam (Katie) Steele and their children, Camden, Brooke, and Gavin; and a niece, Melissa Merritt and her children, Holden and Layten. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie Stellmacher; parents, Victor and Leona Oelke; a son, Michael Stellmacher; in-laws, Melvin and LaVerne Stellmacher; and a brother and sister-in-law, Marvin (Geraldine) Oelke.
Visitation for Karen will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, from 4 7:00 pm at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971, and again on Thursday, May 27, 2021, from 10 11:00 am at St. John's Lutheran Church, 65 W. Catherine St., Markesan, WI 53946.
Funeral service for Karen will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at 11:00 am at St. John's Lutheran Church in Markesan, with Reverend Jason Jobs officiating. Interment will follow at Fairwater Cemetery in the Village of Fairwater. A memorial is being established in her name. Her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Barrett House in Ripon and the team at Agnesian Hospice.
Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences.