Obituary for Karen A. Vanselow (Gustafson)
A beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, ggmom, and wife... Karen Vanselow, age 76, passed away peacefully with her loving husband Pat by her side at their home in Muskego on Sunday, January 24th, 2021. She now rests in the hands of our Lord.
Karen was born on November 28th, 1944 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Raymond H. and Ann B. Gustafson, she is preceded by both of her parents in eternal life. She is survived by her siblings: sister, friend, and confidant Mary Gustafson Kowalski (Jerome); brother Gerald Gustafson, known to all as Gus (Sandra); and baby brother Raymond, or "Ray" Gustafson. The family moved to Milwaukee, where Karen settled and married William, better known as Bill Weiland. They had four wonderful children who survived her: Warren Weiland (Claudia), Kurtis Weiland (Sally), Scott Weiland (Kathy), and Michelle Weiland Mallo (Sean), who Karen lovingly called Missy. Karen was very devoted to her children and worked several jobs to support her family. Years later, she met her love and best friend, Patrick Vanselow. They were married on October 24th, 1987 and continued to raise a family together in Muskego.
Karen loved people, and people loved her twice as much. She welcomed everyone that came into her life with open arms. Her home was as warm as her heart. There was always coffee, cocktails, or a deliciously home-cooked meal ready for anyone that wanted to stop by. She loved spending time with friends and family, and she made entertaining effortlessly simple with her charisma and her hilarious sense of humor. Whether she was hosting a Packers game, golfing, snowmobiling, or just hanging out up north at her trailer, Karen brought life to any gathering and joy to us all. Laughter and love were Karen's legacies; what a perfect way to live life.
The greatest joy for Karen was seeing her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews grow from babies to adults. She loved hearing about their accomplishments and was so proud of the people they have become. She is preceded in death by her niece Kelly (Gus and Sandy). Surviving her are niece Stacy and nephew Jimmy Lee from Louisiana. Karen's niece Kelly, grand-nephew Marcus, and great-nephew Marcus Jr (Ray) all survive her and reside in Milwaukee. Granddaughters Chloe, Cali, Cayden, and Charley (Warren and Claudia) were blessed to spend many summers up north together with their Grandma Karen. Granddaughter Jenna (Kurt and Sally) was lucky to spend most of her childhood with her Grandma Karen. Granddaughters Hailee, Courtney, and Breanna (Scott and Kathy) always made their Grandma Karen proud with all the volleyball tournament stories as we gathered around the dinner table. Karen's first and only grandson is Louis (Ashley), and she was ggmom to Owen and Ellie, Karen's great-grandchildren. She was so delighted to be a part of their little lives (Missy and Sean).
Grandma Karen touched our lives in a way that we will never forget. We will cherish and treasure the moments that we had with her here on earth. As she peacefully rests in God's hands; she will forever remain in our hearts.
Please join us as we celebrate this beautiful woman's blessed life.
Place:
Hartson Funeral Home
11111 W Janesville Rd
Hales Corners, WI 53130
#414-425-9797
Date:
Friday February 5th, 2021
Time:
Visitation: 4-6pm
Small service at 5pm*
Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails to follow at Diamond Jim's Steakhouse
11811 W Janesville Rd, Hales Corners.
Karen was born on November 28th, 1944 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Raymond H. and Ann B. Gustafson, she is preceded by both of her parents in eternal life. She is survived by her siblings: sister, friend, and confidant Mary Gustafson Kowalski (Jerome); brother Gerald Gustafson, known to all as Gus (Sandra); and baby brother Raymond, or "Ray" Gustafson. The family moved to Milwaukee, where Karen settled and married William, better known as Bill Weiland. They had four wonderful children who survived her: Warren Weiland (Claudia), Kurtis Weiland (Sally), Scott Weiland (Kathy), and Michelle Weiland Mallo (Sean), who Karen lovingly called Missy. Karen was very devoted to her children and worked several jobs to support her family. Years later, she met her love and best friend, Patrick Vanselow. They were married on October 24th, 1987 and continued to raise a family together in Muskego.
Karen loved people, and people loved her twice as much. She welcomed everyone that came into her life with open arms. Her home was as warm as her heart. There was always coffee, cocktails, or a deliciously home-cooked meal ready for anyone that wanted to stop by. She loved spending time with friends and family, and she made entertaining effortlessly simple with her charisma and her hilarious sense of humor. Whether she was hosting a Packers game, golfing, snowmobiling, or just hanging out up north at her trailer, Karen brought life to any gathering and joy to us all. Laughter and love were Karen's legacies; what a perfect way to live life.
The greatest joy for Karen was seeing her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews grow from babies to adults. She loved hearing about their accomplishments and was so proud of the people they have become. She is preceded in death by her niece Kelly (Gus and Sandy). Surviving her are niece Stacy and nephew Jimmy Lee from Louisiana. Karen's niece Kelly, grand-nephew Marcus, and great-nephew Marcus Jr (Ray) all survive her and reside in Milwaukee. Granddaughters Chloe, Cali, Cayden, and Charley (Warren and Claudia) were blessed to spend many summers up north together with their Grandma Karen. Granddaughter Jenna (Kurt and Sally) was lucky to spend most of her childhood with her Grandma Karen. Granddaughters Hailee, Courtney, and Breanna (Scott and Kathy) always made their Grandma Karen proud with all the volleyball tournament stories as we gathered around the dinner table. Karen's first and only grandson is Louis (Ashley), and she was ggmom to Owen and Ellie, Karen's great-grandchildren. She was so delighted to be a part of their little lives (Missy and Sean).
Grandma Karen touched our lives in a way that we will never forget. We will cherish and treasure the moments that we had with her here on earth. As she peacefully rests in God's hands; she will forever remain in our hearts.
Please join us as we celebrate this beautiful woman's blessed life.
Place:
Hartson Funeral Home
11111 W Janesville Rd
Hales Corners, WI 53130
#414-425-9797
Date:
Friday February 5th, 2021
Time:
Visitation: 4-6pm
Small service at 5pm*
Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails to follow at Diamond Jim's Steakhouse
11811 W Janesville Rd, Hales Corners.