Karen Ruth Kuss, 85, of Jefferson, Wisconsin, crossed over into the next life on February 4, 2025, after a long illness. She was surrounded by the love of her family and friends–near and far, here and in spirit at Mulberry Glen in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
She was born on November 7, 1939, to Henry and Lucille Smith in Lake Mills. She was a member of the class of 1958 at Lake Mills High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she studied education.
Karen lived a full and eclectic life. In her younger days, she worked at Schoenberger’s Drug Store in Lake Mills. After a brief period of living and working in Milwaukee, she was a Head Start teacher with Lake Mills Public Schools. She later worked at APV Crepaco in Lake Mills for 27 years until she retired. Bored from not working, she held a position at the Koret clothing store at the Johnson Creek Outlet Mall. When the store closed, she decided to relax and embrace retirement. She volunteered in the Special Education classroom of her son Michael at Washington Elementary School in Whitewater. The children always looked forward to spending time with “Mrs. K.”
Karen was a voracious crafter, running a ceramics store in Jefferson. She was also an expert knitter, creative crafter, fan of adult coloring books, savvy Sudoku solver, sharp Scrabble player, and sneaky Uno player (who hated to lose–especially to her son-in-law). She loved Christmas and often worked closely with Christmas Neighbors. Her musical tastes ranged from country music to the classics of the big band era, to opera, particularly being a fan of Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo. She passed with Johnny Cash in the background.
One of the highlights of Karen’s life were the annual trips to Montana visiting her son Pat and his family. She loved exploring the wilderness and history of the area, developing an interest in Native American music, culture, and lore. She was particularly fond of her collection of various Kokopelli objects and jewelry. She passed wrapped in her Kokopelli jacket. A portion of her cremains will be returned to the earth of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana. Among her fondest memories are the long and adventurous train rides out to Montana and back.
Karen will always be remembered as a kind and caring friend and neighbor, maintaining ties with people going back to grade school.
Karen is survived by her son Michael Van Eimeren (Virgil Miller) of Whitewater, son Pat Van Eimeren (Colleen Owen) of Whitefish, Montana; sisters, Janice Langer (Ralph) of Menominee Falls, Vicki McKee of Hebron; sister-in-law, Karen Smith Swader (Steve) of Whitewater; grandsons, Kyle Van Eimeren of Kalispel, Montana, and Nolan Van Eimeren (Shakala) of Williston, North Dakota. More recently she became a great grandma to Penelope Van Eimeren, daughter of Nolan. She is further survived by Patti Charbonneau, the daughter of her heart and mother of her grandsons; as well as six nephews, one niece, numerous cousins, and countless friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Lucille Smith of Lake Mills; and brother Monte Smith of Fort Atkinson. She will be greeted at the Rainbow Bridge by cats Riggie, Carmen, Oliver, Princess Moo; and grand dogs Luna, Sass, and Mac.
Karen requested there be no service, but her family encourages friends to gather and share their memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rainbow Hospice, to which the family is eternally grateful for their compassionate and loving care over the last pages of Karen’s story. The family would like to thank the staff of Mulberry Glen. Their care was first class. The Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home of Jefferson is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com.
