Karen M. Olsen

Karen M. Olsen, age 78, of Appleton, passed away on December 1, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, December 18 at 11 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church in Marshfield. Pastor Heather Brown will officiate, and Kathy Biederwolf will be the organist.

Karen, the daughter of Jacob and Lorraine (Jeske) Hunter, the oldest of three children, was born May 4, 1945 in Antigo. She graduated from Antigo Senior High School in 1963. Karen attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she received a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1967. Following graduation, she worked at University of Wisconsin, Madison and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield, where she held positions of Staff Nurse, Head Nurse, and Assistant Director of Nursing.

Karen met the love of her life, Dr. Thomas W. Olsen, in Marshfield. The couple married on December 26, 1970 at Peace Lutheran Church in Antigo. They lived in Marshfield with their three children for 13 years before moving to Rhinelander in 1984. In Rhinelander, Karen worked at her husband’s oral surgery practice. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, sang in the church choir, and participated in the Altar Guild. She was active in parental groups in the Rhinelander schools, attending and supporting her children’s educational endeavors and extracurricular activities. She loved the great Northwoods and living on the Wisconsin River, where her favorite past time was boating with family and friends. 

She and her husband returned to Marshfield in December of 2008, where they rekindled treasured friendships. Karen was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Marshfield, serving on the Altar Guild. She was also a member of the Chapter AJ P.E.O. Karen’s greatest joys in life were being a devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. 

Flowers may be sent to Faith Lutheran Church or memorial gifts may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, Chapter AJ, P.E.O., or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be made at www.HansenSchillingFuneralHome.com. 

Karen is survived by her husband, Dr. Thomas W. Olsen, of Appleton, daughters Kristin M. Olsen of Appleton and Dr. Kathryn M. Olsen of Denver, Colo., son Dr. Peter (Angela) Olsen of Jacksonville, Fla. and grandchildren Ella Kristin Olsen and Samuel Thomas Olsen of Jacksonville, Fla.

The service will be broadcasted on the following You Tube link:  https://youtube.com/@faithlutheranchurch-marshf9622?si=q43Of2IvCFTjWEjY.