Obit: Karlen, Lorraine Veronica (1918 - 2012)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Behnke, Boser, Callan, Hieronimus, Karlen, Kosciesza, Kryshak, Kyeah, Nowack, Schara, Seefeldt, Sommer, Wirkus

----Source: The Peterson Kraemer Funeral Home (Athens, Edgar, Marathon WI) 3/24/2012

Karlen, Lorraine Veronica (Boser) (7 APR 1918 - 21 MAR 2012)

Lorraine Veronica (Boser) Karlen, 93, of Marathon was called home to be with her heavenly family on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 surrounded by her family members. Lorraine was under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Marathon Assisted Living Facility (formerly Allison House).

She was born April 7, 1918, in the town of Wien, daughter of the late Mathias and Mary (Wirkus) Boser. On June 4, 1940, she married Alexius "Alex" J. Karlen at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Edgar. Alex preceded her in death on March 17, 2008.

Lorraine graduated from Edgar High School and Marathon County Normal School (UWMC). She was a rural public school teacher in one-room schools in the townships of Day, McMillan and Texas. Lorraine and Alex managed cheese factories at Green Valley in Rangeline and Pine Valley in Edgar. They also owned farms in the Towns of Emmet and Cassel. Lorraine retired from Marathon Cheese Corporation.

Lorraine was a very faithful Catholic and a member of Sacred Heart Parish Council of Catholic Women. She held various offices including president. Lorraine spent many hours preparing dinners for multiple functions held at the church. She took great pride in making family dinners for holidays and get-togethers. Mom was a fabulous cook and baker. The family especially looked forward to her famous dinner rolls and cherry/blueberry bars. Lorraine took each task as it came and did so without complaint. She will be missed greatly by her family, friends and anyone who got to know her.

Survivors include her seven children, Myron (Mary Ann) Karlen, Marathon, Marjean (Jim) Nowack, Marathon, Ronald Karlen, Marathon, Lynette (Don) Hieronimus, Wausau, Patricia (Ed) Kryshak, Marathon, Michael (Rox) Karlen, Marathon and Bev Behnke (Mike Sommer), Marathon; two siblings, Joe (Rosalyn) Boser, Marathon and Rita Boser, Edgar; three sisters-in law, Adeline Boser, Piggot, Arkansas, Adelaide (Karlen) Schara, Marathon and Jeanette Karlen, Stevens Point; one brother-in-law Joe Karlen, Wausau; 22 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Mathias and Mary, she was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Bonnie Karlen and Brenda Sue Nowack; three sisters, Marian Seefeldt, Catherine Kosciesza and Dolores Callan; one brother, Omer; and one daughter-in-law, Lynn Karlen.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel. Rev. Barnabas Kyeah will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. until time of service at the Church.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com. 

Memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cassel.

The family thanks Ann and the staff at Allison House and Aspirus Hospice Services for the excellent loving care they gave our mother.

Obituary: Karlen, Alexius “Alex” J.
http://www.wiclarkcountyhistory.org/5data/105/780.htm