Obituary
Karen Marie Ehlo
Karen Marie Ehlo, 60, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully at her home on November 29, 2012. She was born on November 3, 1952 to George and Marcelyne (Shuda) Kolbo. Karen attended St. James Catholic School and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1970. She married the love of her life, Alan Ehlo, on July 29, 1978 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Karen had two daughters, Amy Jo and Laura Lee. She worked for the School District of La Crosse for 16 years. Following her retirement, Karen owned and operated The Furniture Salon, an antique and furniture refinishing business. She most recently worked for A.B.L.E Inc, Kwik Trip, and Festival Foods. Karen enjoyed baking, shopping, gardening, and canning her famous pizza sauce. She loved spending time with family and friends and watching the Logan Show Choirs perform. Karen was proceeded in death by her parents; George and Marcelyne Kolbo, her husband Al, her parents-in-law; Jim and Shirley Peterson, Patricia Ehlo, and her beloved black labrador retriever Duke.
She is survived by her two daughters, Amy Jo Ehlo, Laura Ehlo Garves (Matt) of La Crosse; grandchildren, Austin and A’ Marie Ehlo; sister, Mary Ann Bashaw (Tom); Brothers-in-Law, Andy Ehlo Sr. (Patty), Marvin Ehlo Jr., Tom Peterson (Jackie), Tim Peterson (Rhonda); sisters-in-law, Kelly Burress, Vicki Daniels, Mary Sanders (Neil), Stephanie Johnson (Scott); father-in-law, Marvin Ehlo Sr.; many nieces and nephews and her cat Joey.
Karen is further survived by many special friends including Stephanie Finck-Korish and family, Rick and Ellen Valentine and family, Sue Johnson, Connie Schultz, and her “Festival Foods Family.”
Thank you to Renee Druliner, Gundersen Lutheran Oncology and Palliative Care staff, Mayo Clinic Oncology and Hospice staff and especially her nurse Missy Hemker.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason St., Onalaska. Pastor Ted Dewald will officiate. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, La Crosse. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the service at the funeral home on Tuesday. Online condolences may be left at www.couleecremation.com.
She was a sweet fun loving sister-in-law, and aunt, always had a beautiful smile, and a laugh to share. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Love you Tim, Rhonda, Brandon, Dan, Shana, Matt, Shane, Desiray & Elliott
My sister Ann just called with the sad news of Karens death. She and I were great friends back in grade school. I used to hang out with her at St. James church where she played the organ. Alot of my favorite memories during my youth include Karen. I ran into her the year before last when she checked me out at festival foods. I didn’t recognize her but she called out my name which was shelly Dupae back in the day. We did some catching up I didn’t know she was ill. Rest in peace dear friend!
It is with a heavy heart to write condolances to Karen’s girls and family. Wish i could have known Karen better. Thoughts and prayers for all of you. Love you Amy Jo, praying for all of you.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to all of my Aunt Karen’s family. Although I was not close, I’ve always respected her as my Aunt. She was married to my Dad’s (Harold (Butch) Ehlo) brother Alan. May all of you find peace, especially at this difficult time and God Bless. Love, Heather
Correction, my Dad’s nephew Alan.
My sympathies to Karen’s family. I went to grade school and high school with Karen.
She was a great person to know. I miss visiting with her when she was working at Festival.
I’m sure you have a lot of wonderful memories of Karen.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen’s friend
Virginia
You were a wonderful, kindhearted, loving individual who took care of her family and friends. Karen will be missed dearly. My sympathies go out to the Ehlo family in this hard time.
In sympathy,
Cassie Dockham
Words will never hold up to the amazing woman Karen was she was kind caring honest loving and everything in between your going to be miss Karen and your loved by so many I live u Karen and u asked me a favor at the baby shower and I will hold true to me promise rest in peace my dear friend ..
Karen has given us so many great memories. She was a wonderful lady and full of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. She will always be held in our hearts as a dear friend and special lady. Rest in peace. Lots of love, Tricia & Sue.
I knew Karen when I shop at Festival Foods. Karen gave me a tour of Festival when I started to shop there. We would also talk a little about attending Aquinas High School. I appreciated Karen’s kindness. My prayers and condolences.
Karen was a wonderful friend and we grew up on the northside of La Crosse together – she went to St. James and I went to St. John. We both took our earliest music lessons with the Franciscan sisters at St. James Convent back in the early 1960s. Karen was an outstanding violist and so much fun. I actually owe the fact I have a driver’s license to Karen: she taught me how to parallel park (I was hopeless and my driving teacher at Aquinas had a way that only made me tense up and I couldn’t do anything right). Karen was so patient and a “natural” teacher teacher and took me up to the old Rubber Mills and made me practice parking for over two hours, with her directing. Thanks to her, I aced my test and when ever I park today, I always remember my lessons! She had a great smile and was one of the most loving people I have never known – I will always remember her as a big part of my life growing up.
Jim,
I remember my Mom speaking of you often!