Karen J. Mosier

On August 20, 2023, Karen Jayne Mosier, age 81, left her life on earth to begin her eternal life in heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Karen was born September 1, 1941 to the late Fred and Laura (Schroeder) Lemke in Milwaukee, WI. In October of that same year, when she was only one month old, she and her family left Milwaukee and moved to their newly purchased farm in Dakota Township, rural Wautoma. Karen attended the one room Blader School, grades 1-8 and graduated from Wautoma High School in 1959. Afterwards, she went to the Waushara County Normal School for two years, graduated from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and received her 316 reading license from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

On June 15, 1963, she married her high school love, James Mosier at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wautoma. Her father gifted them with a beautiful waterfront parcel and in 1964, Karen and Jim built their forever home on Pickerel Lake. They adorned their yard with flower and vegetable gardens along with ornamental and fruit trees. In November 1966, they welcomed their son, Todd and in March of 1970 they welcomed their son, Jayson.

Karen loved to travel. One of her first adventures was on her senior class trip to Washington DC. Later in life, she enjoyed two Caribbean cruises and many other destinations including, California, Las Vegas, Jamaica, Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, England, Wales Scotland, Maine, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, British Columbia and Ontario, Canada, South Padre Island, Texas, Branson, Missouri and even a tour of Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee.

Karen spent her early years teaching in Fremont and Hancock. She then became an integral part of the Wautoma school district. For fifty years, she worked with the state department identifying children of migrant workers. Her work through (NGS) provided migrant children the opportunity to continue their education while they were away from their school of origin. After retiring in 2000, Karen continued to substitute teach in Westfield, Coloma, Redgranite, Berlin and Wautoma until the spring of 2023. Karen’s career was her passion and she often said that she would like to die at her desk.

Karen was an eternal optimist and could always see a silver lining through the darkest cloud. Even during her illness, she counted her blessings and would say, “Life is good.” Her greatest joy was knowing that her family loved the Lord.

Karen was a lifelong and faithful member of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church and a former member of the choir.  She was a former member of the Wautoma Homemakers and enjoyed getting together with friends for their annual Christmas cookie exchange in December.

Survivors include her husband of sixty years, James, two sons, Todd (Charlotte) Mosier, Oshkosh and Jayson (Rebecca) Mosier, Wautoma, granddaughter, Brenna Mosier and grandson, Nathan Mosier, both of Wautoma, sister in law, Jean Lemke, Wautoma, two nephews, David (Carol) Lemke, Madison and Daniel (Alisa) Lemke, Wautoma, a niece, Dawn Bauer, Saco, Maine, Cousins, Richard (Betty) Petzold, Wausau, Susan Wright, Menomonee Falls, Betty Malkowski, Dousman, Jean Braunschweig, Dousman and Carl (Joyce) Natzke, Menomonee Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents and her mother and father in law, Lyle and Nellie Mosier and her brother, Thomas Lemke.

Private family services will be held. Burial will be in the Dakota Township Cemetery.

Karen’s family extends their gratitude to the staff of Juliette Manor, Berlin for their professional, kind and compassionate care. Special thanks to Pastor Tom Klusmeyer and wife Nancy for their numerous visits with Karen, having prayer with her and providing her with communion. To all of you who knew Karen, thank you for letting her be a part of your life…as you were a part of hers.