Karen L. Kloehn, 76, of Henrietta Township died on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Pine Valley Healthcare.
She was born Dec. 21, 1938 in the Town of Bloom the daughter of Leslie and Dora (Ames) Wanless. As a child they moved around from place to place. Karen graduated from Richland Center High School in 1956. As a high school senior she worked in the high school kitchen, learning to cook. She started her courtship with George Kloehn and the couple was married Oct. 27, 1956 and they were able to celebrate 58 years together. She was a member of the Henrietta Trailblazers and was a 4-H leader for many decades and received the 4-H Key Award and the Diamond Leader Award in 1986. Karen taught Sunday School at St. John’s Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Women’s Relief Corp, DAV Auxiliary, and Yuba Homemakers for over 25 years. Karen served as a director of the Richland Farm Bureau Committee. She was a loving mother of 6 children. Karen enjoyed crocheting, sewing, mending, and farming alongside George. She was instrumental in the day to day operation of her husband’s bus, garage, and Trucking business. Karen enjoyed listening to Maggie Mae, playing bingo and spending time with family and friends.
Karen is survived by; six children: Jeanette Burkum from Merrill, WI, Elizabeth Kloehn rural Hillsboro, Mary (Tom) Yanske of Salem, MO, Bill (Missy) Kloehn, Floyd Kloehn, Louise (Joe Ford) Kloehn of Richland Center; 10 grandchildren: Jason and Jesse Burkum, TJ, Trevor Yanske, Sara Bays, Mike Kloehn, Joe Kloehn , Becky Kloehn, Tiffany Daughenbaugh and Carley Kloehn; two step grandchildren: Terry Sage and Chelssi Deckert; six great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Orla Wanless of Arizona, Connie (Wayne) Moldenhauer of Madison, Roger Wanless of Alabama, Mary Susan (Steve) Nachtigal of Soldiers Grove; special friends, Doug and Di Marshall of Hillsboro; and their daughters Emily and Sara; other relatives, and friends.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents Leslie and Dora Wanless, husband George, son-in-law Arvid Burkum, and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015, at 1 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Tom Dowling officiating with burial to follow in the Richland Center Cemetery. Friends may call at the Pratt Community Hall on Friday, July 10, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. and at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Saturday from 12 p.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. The family suggests memorials be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Yuba Homemakers. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements. prattfuneralservice.com
