Karen A. Krahn

Our loving mother, Karen A. Krahn, age 71, passed away with family by her side on May 30, 2023. Mom was born on March 13, 1952 to Roman and Lottie Gawrylewski. Mom graduated Pulaski High School in 1970. She entered the workforce at Ft. Howard Paper Mill, where she met her husband, David. Our dad escorted mom to the young lady sodality where mom was honored as snow-ball queen. They united in marriage on September 9, 1972 at Assumption BVM Church in Pulaski, WI. They celebrated the night away with family and friends and a 7-piece polka band. Mom and Dad bought the dairy farm in Denmark in 1973. Mom worked side by side with dad on the farm as they began building a family together. As our mother, she was gentle, kind and loving. Mom enjoyed gardening, canning for the family and spending countless hours in her garden and flower beds. Mom became an independent sales representative for Stanley Home Products in 1985 along with selling Watkins. Mom successfully established her business, following in her mother’s footsteps. Mom was always a very generous person. She was actively involved in Holy Trinity Church singing in the church choir, distributing communion, planting flowers always to make the church look beautiful, all while raising a family and farming. Mother also cleaned many homes for others, something she took great pride in. Our mother was one of the hardest working and dedicated humans around, never saying no to offering a helping hand. Mom loved to harvest her garden that she would sell at local farmers markets. There were many years she traveled throughout Wisconsin as a “one woman show” selling her products. Mom bowled for many years in leagues at Suster’s Arcade. Mother loved being a mother and grandmother, often sipping coffee with the granddaughters, taking trips to Bay Beach, but most of all, having the children spend the night showering them with her home cooking and endless cuddles.

Mom is survived by her four children: Brian (Tracy), Brenda (special friend Eric), Jeffrey, Matthew (Sara); grandchildren: Kayla (special friend Josh), Bryanna, Alexis, Allison, Sierra, Austin and Corbin; and one great-granddaughter Gianna; siblings: Fr. Patrick Gawrylewski OFM, Mary (Alan) McCabe-Holewinski, Joanne Gawrylewski, Rosanne (Dave) Johnson; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Bruce (Diane) Krahn, Deb McCarty, Pam (Peter) Hansen, Sue (Kevin) Bosetski, LuAnn (Dave) Falk, many other relatives and friends.

Mom is preceded in death by her husband, David; parents Roman and Lottie; in-laws Wilbert and Dorothy ; sister-in-law Cheryl; brother-in-law Al; unborn child and many other loved ones.

Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home (536 County Road R- Denmark) on Wednesday, June 7, from 3:00pm until 7:00pm. A prayer service will conclude the evening. Visitation will continue on Thursday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church-New Denmark (6395 County Road NN, Denmark) from 9:00am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with her brother, Fr. Patrick Gawrylewski OFM officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all that supported and lent a helping hand during this 3 ½ year battle with mom’s illness; to all the caregivers at Scandinavian Court in Denmark, the staff at Tender Hearts Assisted Living during her stay, to the patient and wonderful AseraCare Hospice caregivers, especially Amanda, RN and Angie. You all helped to guide and assist us through the many changed on mom’s illness. Thank you!

We know we cannot have you with us, but we’re happy knowing the angels have you back. Good bye to a beautiful woman and wonderful mother.