February 5, 2021 at 8:29 a.m.
Karen Louisa Knudsen Moritz
Karen Louisa Knudsen Moritz
As a child, Karen and her family lived on Riek Street, along the Wisconsin River, and attended South Park Elementary School. With a sparkle in her eye, she often shared stories of her childhood, playing with neighborhood boys and girls and the trouble they'd get into! Shortly after graduating with Rhinelander High School's Class of 1945, Karen and her sister went to Washington D.C., working in the "typing pool" at the Pentagon. She loved to talk of the good times she and her new friends had in the big city "during the war." Karen returned to Rhinelander and worked as secretary at DuBois Law firm.
Karen and Paul Albert Moritz married on June 5, 1948 at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church. They began their life together in a small Rhinelander apartment, later moving to Randall Ave. across from the old Cleary's Dairy and, finally, to Wisconsin Avenue, in 1955, where Karen lived, once again, on the Wisconsin River. The couple attended the First Congregational Church, where they celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 5, 1998. Having four daughters, Karen was a stay-at-home mom and became a second mom to many neighbor children in the Wisconsin Avenue neighborhood, but that didn't stop her from expressing her artistic side. Trying as many mediums as possible, she was an accomplished landscape artist, tailored beautiful clothing, created home-decorating items and quilted comfy, cozy quilts.
She held offices with Jack Pine Artists and the Wisconsin Arts Board. Many of her paintings are displayed around Rhinelander, including the halls at Milestone Senior Living, where she had been living since July of 2018. Karen was an accomplished bowler, appearing in the Rhinelander Daily News often. She thoroughly enjoyed bowling in her Tuesday and Thursday night leagues and golfing with Paul and her friends on weekends. One of Karen's proudest moments was sitting with Kathy Pelletier at the voting polls, signing voters in and out. She, truly, felt she was serving her country. After Paul's death, December, 1999, Karen returned to her home church, St. Augustine's Episcopal, for worship and to re-connected with long-time friends and families.
Surviving Karen are three of her daughters, Jeanne (Dennis) Lex, Laurie Kay Heidemann and Cory (Bill) Hoffmann, son-in-law, Donald Olm, as well as 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Dec. 21, 1999, her daughter Barbara Olm, her parents, her brother, Karl Knudsen, and her sister Margareta Sundstrom.
Karen's family wishes to thank all staff at Milestone Senior Living in Rhinelander, the surgeons, doctors and nurses at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Dr. Lee Swank, Mother Meredyth Albright at St. Augustine's and all her dear friends and neighbors, who have been of great help to her.
To ensure all family and friends stay safe during this unprecedented pandemic, services for Karen will be held at a future time. In lieu of flowers, Karen's family asks that you donate to a charity of your choice or ArtStart, 68 S Stevens Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501. You may also leave your private memories and condolences for the Moritz family at www.carlsonfh.com. Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Moritz family.
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