Karen Marie Schultz (Kockelman), 58, a resident of Spooner, Wisconsin passed away on Monday September 9, 2019 after a 14-year journey with brain cancer. She was born in Canby, Minnesota to Virgil and Regina (Lindeman) Kockelman on November 11, 1960. Karen graduated from Canby High School in 1979 and continued her education to receive a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University.

Karen was married to Mark Schultz on May 27, 1989. Karen found great joy in working as a Registered Dietician for 30 years at the Spooner Hospital and Nursing Home. She served as a volunteer at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and School in Spooner for many years. She also volunteered for “Give Cancer the Boot” and the Washburn County Relay for Life, both of which work to fund cancer research.

Her spirit of generosity continues, as Karen requested that her body be donated for study to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program.

Karen is survived by her husband, Mark; children: Jeanine (Ethan) Merrill, Patryce (Tate) Garcia, and Mariah Schultz; grandchildren: Malachi Garcia and forthcoming Baby Garcia; siblings: Jerry (Lavonne) Kockelman, Greg (Linda) Kockelman, and Pat (Rick) Callens; as well as many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Regina Kockelman, and sister, Judy Halvorson.

A time of gathering and visitation will be held on Friday, September 20, 2019, at the Spooner Funeral Home from 4-7pm, closing with a Prayer Service at 7pm.  On Saturday, September 21, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Spooner, a visitation will be held from 10-11am, followed by a Memorial Mass at 11am. 

Karen and her family have requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Karen’s charity of choice: Food for the Poor at 6401 Lyons Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33073, foodforthepoor.org. 

Last Update: Sep 12, 2019 1:47 pm CDT