Karen Marie Ehlo, 60, of La Crosse passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. She was born on Nov. 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 preceded in death by her parents, George and Marcelyne Kolbo; her husband, Al; her parents-in-law, Jim and Shirley Peterson and Patricia Ehlo; and her beloved black labrador retriever Duke.
She is survived by her two daughters, Amy Jo Ehlo and 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) and Tim Peterson (Rhonda); sisters-in-law, Kelly Burress, Vicki Daniels, Mary Sanders (Neil) and 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 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 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 am until the service at the funeral home on Tuesday. Online condolences may be left at www.couleecremation.com.