Karen Barbara Larson

RACINE - Karen Barbara Larson (née: Nelsestuen), 84, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Aurora Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin Karen was born on December 13, 1938, on the family farm in rural Ettrick, Wisconsin to Joseph and Christine Nelsestuen (née: Oakland). She was united in marriage with William H. “Bill” Larson on July 30, 1960, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They started dating in middle school and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. Karen was the founder and director of The Growing Place Day Care Center of Emmanuel Lutheran Church for 30 years, retiring in July 2005. She attended Webster Elementary, Longfellow Junior High, and La Crosse Central High Schools. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1960 from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Karen was also a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church (now Journey in Faith) and served several terms on church council. She loved to sing with the church choir and the Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin, and her duets with Bill were a big hit at family gatherings. Before moving from LaCrosse to Racine, Karen worked in a music store, and was an avid pianist throughout her adult years. Karen was known for her calm and gentle demeanor, warm smiles, attentive listening, and love of family. A ravenous reader and conscientious citizen, she was a steadfast supporter of democratic and humanitarian causes. Karen led by example, and touched many lives by doing and saying what she felt was right, with patience, strength, and grace. Karen was the oldest of three daughters and gave birth to three boys. She will be deeply missed by her sons Christopher (and wife Joy) of Broomfield, Colorado, Andrew of Chicago, Illinois, and Daniel of Minturn, Colorado; grandchildren Karissa (with husband Alan) Rohde, Dr. Micah Larson, Hillary, Jacob, and Holden Larson; great granddaughters Ava and Sophie; sisters Lorrie (husband Eugene) Schmitz and Susan (husband Philip) Curti, both of LaCrosse; and countless other nieces, nephews, family members, and friends. Karen’s spirit is reunited with her husband Bill and parents Joseph and Christine Nelsestuen. A memorial service will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 11 a.m. with a visitation from 10 a.m. until time of service. The memorial service will be webcasted and can be viewed from the Sturino Funeral Home website on Karen’s page under the photo/video/media tab. In lieu of flowers, memorials and contributions to the Alzheimer's Association and Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin are suggested by the family.

Tributes

Karen Barbara Larson

December 13, 1938 - October 1, 2023