Obituary
Karen Louise Kalsy
Karen Louise (Christel) Kalsy, 77, of La Crosse and formerly of Romeoville, Illinois, passed away October 26, 2024 suddenly in her home. Karen is survived by her son Jai (Sarah) Kalsy; granddaughters Aubrey and Auden; her sister Candace (Christel) Coleman; and brothers Steven and Robert. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kuldip, brother David, and her parents.
Karen was born on June 26, 1947 in Madison, Wisconsin to John and Dorothy (Stellmacher) Christel. Karen grew up in La Crosse and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1965. On May 24, 1969, Karen married Kuldip S. Kalsy and resided in the Chicago area until 1992 before returning to La Crosse.
Karen enjoyed socializing with friends and neighbors, preparing meals and care packages for others, genealogy, and road trips in Wisconsin and neighboring states.
A celebration of life open house will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska, WI. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting her family.
May Karen rest in peace. Grateful for all her visits to my Mom at Hillview.
I will certainly miss my dear friend!
Jai and Family,
I offer my sincerest condolences and prayers for your loss. May God comfort you all as you remember your mom, Karen.
Your friend,
Craig
This is a very sad and difficult period for you, Jai.
Please take time to heal slowly and properly. Since my mom died on April 29, 2020, I am still healing. I know exactly the healing journey you started on that Saturday for the loss of your mom. Take courage and be vulnerable to cry often when the emotion sets in, to help you heal.
I will keep you in my prayers.
–Prentiss
Jai and Sarah, Al and I are so very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. We may not have known her well, but can only imagine the void that will be felt by you and your beautiful daughters. Her love will be with you always.
Love to you.
Pam and Al Severson
My sympathy to you,Jai and family in the loss of your Mom who was a cousin of my husband, Jerold (Jerry) Christel, son of Victor). Your Mom was so generous in visiting relatives throughout Wisconsin. She would visit me at Harbor View Assisted Living in Manitowoc. Ellen Christel
I had no idea. Just saw this. Karen,has been a friend for years. She loved my brother’s books about growing up in De Soto. She always brought me little gifts for the holidays.
Dear Family of Karen,
I was so shocked and saddened to learn of Karen’s passing. Karen was a Christel cousin of mine. It was such a large family that I only met her in later years. She was the messenger that kept relatives connected. She was loving & generous. When in IL, she always brought me a jar of Milwaukee Dill Pickles. Candy, I hope we can connect on one of your IL visits.
My cousin Karen will be missed and my condolences to everyone whose lives were touched by her.
So many memories. Karen and I were in the same French class at St. Thomas Aquinas.
I am going to miss her e mails about her daily adventures in and around La Crosse.
I was just a Facebook friend and never met her though we communicated through Facebook. I could tell she was a wonderful person and reached out weeks ago to see if she was alright as I had not seen anything from her. I am profoundly sad for the family and wish I could have met her in person. All the best to the family.
I know I already left a comment but I stilet me knowll can’t believe she is gone. She loved her son and your family very much. She was so plp androud of you.
If I can help you in anyway please let me know. I am in the phone book.
Karen was the kind of friend and neighbor who reached out to her entire community—we reconnected via the amazing Christel Family Reunion and celebration of 100 years of Christel Ford in Valders. Her energy was infectious and she sent me gifts, notes—we very recently exchanged letters. I will miss her so much. Love and prayers to you all—Tammy