Karen L. Ziegler
On Friday, February 12, 2021, Karen Lynn Ziegler, loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully at home at the young age of 62.
aren was born in La Crosse, to Clinton and Shirley (Bakken) Renning. She grew up in Abrahams Coulee and attended French Creek Lutheran Church. Karen graduated from Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School, and later met and married her husband, Wendell Ziegler.
Karen spent most of her early days raising her two daughters: Mandy Dale and Sarah Minor. After the kids were grown, she enjoyed her time at Sacia Orchards and Ferguson Orchards where she loved giving apple tours to children. Karen later joined her friends at Sunset Gardens and would help plant flowers in the nursery. Her final place of employment was at Randy’s Neighborhood Market working in the deli department. She loved the students that would walk over for lunch and visit with her and all the friends she made from casual conversations there.
Three years ago, her life changed as she discovered she had a rare soft-tissue cancer in her leg. Karen underwent radiation in Rochester, MN, at Mayo where she received amazing care. She later was cancer free and was able to ring the bell when she left with a big smile on her face. During her treatments, she made many new friends at Hope Lodge where she stayed. Something she did easily was making new friends. Karen spent the last year recovering and building her strength. She only discovered she would yet again face cancer a few weeks ago, this time a new form of lymphoma that was extremely aggressive. She had one round of chemotherapy at Mayo in La Crosse.
Karen is survived by her husband, Wendell; her loving dog, Jordy; two daughters: Mandy Dale (Chad Gehrke), Sarah (Jamie) Minor; grandchildren: Alicia Dale, Demi and Evan Minor; a sister, Cindy Schuppe; her sister-in-law, Loretta Renning; nieces, nephews; many cousins; relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Shirley; her mother and father-in-law, Norman and Margaret; her brother, Steve Renning; brother-in-law, Jim Schuppe; her son-in-law, Michael “Chipper’ Dale; and a grand-daughter, Ava Minor.
The family wants to thank, from the bottom of their hearts, all the support that has been offered over the years. It meant the world to Karen seeing the social media posts, the phone calls and the letters she received in the mail. She felt so loved and grateful to have you all in her life. An extra special thank you to Dr. Ohlrogge for taking such good care of her and her family. Karen thought the world of your care and concern for her health and future.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to send a donation to the Trempealeau County Humane Society.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Karen later this summer when it is safe to gather and be together.
Zwickey Funeral Homes, Galesville Chapel, assisted the family.
