Karen Olene Brandt

It is with deep sorrow and regret that we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Karen Olene Brandt. Karen was called peacefully to her Heavenly Father on Thursday January 26, 2023 at the Benedictine Manor in La Crosse. She was one of four children, born on November 15, 1944 in Racine, Wisconsin to Ernest and Gladys (Melby) Larsen. She was the last surviving member of her siblings. Karen attended Hayward Grade School from grades one to eight and graduated in 1962 from Hayward High School in Wisconsin. She attended Madison Business College in Madison, WI for a brief period before moving onto a career in Sales. On September 24, 1966 she married John G. Brandt in Cream, WI., and he preceded her in death on November 10. 2018.

Karen excelled at Sales as she had a remarkable ability to remember customers’ names and details. Returning customers often sought her out because of her kindness, good humor and professionalism. She also applied this ability to family and friends by remembering birthdays and special occasions for all.

Karen was an active member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI. She had many hobbies; however, her favorites were baking, cooking, shopping and attending her grandchildren’s activities and sporting events.

She is survived by four daughters; Kristi (Mark) Sands of Tucson, AZ, Kimberly (Dan) Schwabenbauer of Holmen, Kirsten Allphin and Jill (Travis) Crane both of Cody, WY; a son, Kyle (Ann) Brandt of La Crosse; ten grandchildren, Briana, Emily and Ty Schwabenbauer, Kaden and Treyton Allphin, Kai, Tucker and Jessa Lynn, August and Alexis Brandt.

In addition to her husband John and her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister Shirley Gillis and two brothers Tom and Jerry Larsen.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Friday, February 3, 2023 at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services Onalaska chapel; 907 Sand Lake Road. Onalaska. Pastor Dan Olson will officiate. Private family burial will take place in rural Cream, WI. Friends may call on the family at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated to various charities in Karen’s memory.