Karen A. Burchell, age 75 years, of Hillsboro/Mauston, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014 at the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

She was born on March 24, 1938 to Benjamin and Mabel (Wheeler) Knutson in St. Paul, Minnesota.  She grew to adulthood in St. Paul and graduated from the Wilson High School.  Karen was united in marriage to Aaron W. Burchell on Oct. 5, 1957 in St. Paul.  He preceded her in death on May 27, 2008.

They lived in St. Paul, Villa Park, IL and retired to Mauston in 1994.  Karen was a Cashier Manager at JC Penney in Villa Park for many years.  She was an avid reader, they enjoyed traveling to Branson and attending country music concerts, but most of her Karen loved her family and spending time with her grandkids.

Survivors include her children, Jeff (Jennifer) Burchell of Hillsboro and Lenore (Michael) Grafton of Fountain Hills, Arizona; six grandchildren, Melissa, Justine, Elizabeth and Hannah Burchell and David and Mark Grafton; and a sister-in-law, Beatrice (Richard) Hayden of McFarland.

In addition to her husband, Aaron; she was preceded in death by her Parents; brother, Merlin “Bud” Knutson and two sisters, Beverly Schneider and an infant, Evelyn Knutson.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro, with Rev. Isaac Fleming officiating.  Burial will be in the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Hillsboro.  Friends may call at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  For online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com