Karen T. Rohloff

Karen Therese Rohloff, age 53 of Weyauwega, was called to her Savior, passing away unexpectedly on Friday, July 3, 2009. She was born on May 15, 1956 in Superior, WI the oldest child of Per and Kay (Wick) Sheveland. She grew up in Superior and attended the University of Wisconsin-Superior earning a Baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education. While attending college she met Ed Rohloff and they later married on January 14, 1978 at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California.. For the next twenty one years, Karen was a military spouse moving every two or three years, raising a family, and periodically working as a teacher. She loved military life and enjoyed the numerous places she lived and visited making every house a home filled with love and kindness for her family and friends. Her family seemed to grow every two or three moves as she experienced childbirth in three different states and learned the intricacies of numerous school systems. In 1998, Karen and Ed moved to Weyauwega leaving their military life behind. Karen taught at a small Christian school in New London until deciding to become a full-time care provider for her father who was failing with Alzheimer's disease.. After several years the disease had run its course and Karen's heart was put to ease. Her endless hours of constant care for her dad, nurturing and mothering her children, maintaining her household, and being God's gift to her husband were made less difficult with her dad's passing. Karen then worked for a year at K-Mart in Waupaca. After getting her feet wet once again in the work force, she took employment at Crystal River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Waupaca as an Admissions Coordinator where she remained until her death. She thoroughly enjoyed her work and especially grew fond of the many residents and co-workers. Karen loved the Lord, loved and cherished each moment with her family, loved the outdoors and gardening (except pulling weeds), and enjoyed counted-cross stitching, sewing, reading, and cooking. Quite simply, Karen loved life. Her bright smile and constantly positive outlook on life reached everyone she came in contact with. She was especially proud of recently pinning Lieutenant's bars on her son at his U.S. Marine Corps Commissioning Ceremony. Her face beamed with pride and love as she read a letter of congratulations from a State Senator recognizing the Academic Achievements of another son in college. This past spring, she cheered and celebrated as another son competed in championship form with his school's Track team. She recently fell in love once again as her best friend and only daughter gave birth to Karen's first and only grandchild. Ella Therese occupied a huge portion of the love in Karen's heart. Karen often spoke of how God blessed her in so many ways and then showered her with the blessings of little Ella. She recently traveled to Minnesota with her daughter, granddaughter, and one son to visit extended family. She thanked God for blessing her with the opportunity to spend time with special family members including a dear aunt who became like a mother to Karen over the years. Karen's outpouring of love, compassion, energy, and pure joy for her family was cut short much too soon. Karen was an active member of St. Peter Lutheran Church. She spent many hours working with other church members designing and creating banners for the church sanctuary. This labor of love opened her heart even more, introducing her to new friends and bringing her ever closer to Jesus. She is survived by her husband and soul mate Ed, her daughter Amy(Shane) and baby Ella Therese Craft, and three sons: 1Lt Adam Rohloff, USMC, Twenty Nine Palms, California; Paul, Weyauwega; and Luke, Weyauwega. Her brother, Steve (Dawn) Sheveland and their daughters Jordan and Sierra, Lebanon Junction, Kentucky. Three brothers-in-law: Richard(Linda) Rohloff, Stevens Point, WI; Charles(Linda) Rohloff, Gray's Lake Illinois; Jerome(Karen) Rohloff, Appleton, WI, and three sisters-in-law: Barbara Kersten, Appleton, WI; Paula(Al) Mader, Menasha, WI; and Laurie Rohloff, Appleton, WI, in addition to many nieces and nephews. She is further survived by her dear aunt, Lucille Morgan, Gilbert, Minnesota, and Lucille's children and grandchildren. Cousins who were like brothers and sisters to Karen. She is also survived by her dear friend Clydene Stedman-Rohloff and Ed's step-father, George Williams and the entire Williams family. Karen was preceded in death by her parents Per and Kathryne Sheveland, her Uncles Thelmer and Gunliev Sheveland, and her Uncle, Warren Morgan. Karen's Victory in Christ Celebration will be held on Saturday, July 11 at 11 AM at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, 312 W. Main St., Weyauwega, with the Rev. Dennis Lemke, and the Rev. Robbin Robbert officiating. Visitation will be at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca on Friday, July 10 from 4-7 p.m. When death takes a loved one who was the family cornerstone for love, tenderness, understanding, and all things positive, life suddenly becomes a huge void; a deep dark chasm of emptiness and sadness. The overwhelming feeling of destitute, apathy and loneliness becomes so unbearable that it pulls at your very being. How do you go on? God promises us that He will not allow us to experience anything that will totally break us. So, how do you cope? You look to family and friends for support and a shoulder to cry on. More importantly, look to God and pray for strength and the will to carry on. Call upon Him in the day of trouble, He will deliver you, promises to be there for you. Finally, understand and take consolation in God's promise that your loved one has a place in heaven and is overwhelmed with happiness, peace, and love. God's blessing to all who revere and honor Him. Karen's family extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the emergency responders, med techs, and law enforcement personnel for their assistance with Karen and working with the Red Cross to get her son Adam home from Iraq. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Karen's name has been established for St. Peter Lutheran School.

Karen T. Rohloff

May 15, 1956 - July 3, 2009