Tomah - Karen Degenhardt, 82, of Tomah, died Thursday, October 13, 2022, at home. She was born on May 27, 1940 in Decorah Iowa to Orlando and Bertina (Blekeberg) Thompson. She later graduated in 1958 from Rufus King High School in Milwaukee WI.
On August 5, 1961 she married Richard Degenhardt and they had four children together. Karen was a homemaker until the children were in high school and worked for Kwik Trip for 17 years. Karen was adventurous and loved everything life had to offer.
In retirement, Karen and Richard traveled in the winter to Texas and Arizona. Over time, they traveled to China, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. For her 60th birthday, her children surprised her with a girls trip to New York City, a destination she’d dreamed of as a teen. Girl trips continued regularly to cities like Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco and Egypt (with Darlene) for the next 20 years. At the age of 65, Karen went skydiving. She is the only member of the family to do so. Karen and Richard were members of the “Wednesday Wheelers” motorcycle club for many years. They enjoyed summertime rides and made many friends along the way.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Richard Degenhardt, 4 children Darlene (Dave) Caauwe, Laura (Rich) Folgers, David (Martha), (Rosemary) Degenhardt, and Julie (Tony) Hare, 11 Grandchildren Tony, Jessica, Michelle, Andy, Becky, Eric, Karen, Jenifer, Travis, Sophia, and Cory and brothers and sisters-in-law, many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 10:30 A.M. at Queen of the Apostles Parish at St. Mary’s, 315 W Monroe St. Tomah. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited for a visitation on Tuesday from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St. Tomah, and at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service. Online condolences may be sent to sonnenburgfamilyfh.com
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
