- Mertens, Karen LeeKaren Lee (Knutson) Mertens, age 65, went home to be with her Lord on Augu st 3, 2006. She was born on July 25, 1941, in Appleton, Wisconsin to paren ts Elmer and Hazel Knutson. She had two sisters, Dorothy (Mel) Thorp and L ois (James) Witzke and a brother, Peter (Nan) Knutson. She married Dean Ch ristensen in 1961and they had three children. They are Connie (Rick) Weis s, Brett (Brandee) Christensen, and Bart (Leeann) Christensen. On Augu st 6, 1974 she married the true love of her life Dennis Mertens and spe nt nearly 32 years making every moment count.She was an employee of the Greyhound Bus Company since 1982 and owner a nd operator of the Oshkosh Greyhound station for the past seven years. S he delighted in serving others and witnessing her strong Christian fait h. She inspired many from all walks of life. She was very active within h er own church family. She was a Sunday school teacher; she taught Adult Cl asses, participated in the 1st Place Bible study, was active in the Befrie nder Ministry program as well as Bereavement Ministry, which she was ve ry instrumental in bringing to her congregation. Karen's love for the Lo rd was powerful. And her love of family was just as strong. She especial ly loved the time she spent with her grandchildren. She also loved livi ng on the lake and tending to her gardens. She will be missed but for tho se who knew her best, they already know that she is truly home.In her final year Karen along with husband Dennis became passionate abo ut making church camp possible for any child who was a part of their chur ch family. They set up the Camp Scholarship Fund and were successful in ra ising enough funds to send 19 kids to camp for free this summer includi ng two of their own grandchildren.She is survived by her husband, Dennis, her three children: Connie, Bre tt and Bart, six grandchildren and a large community of family and friend s.She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Hazel Knutson, her sist er, Dorothy Thorp and her brother-in-law, James Witzke.Her family loved and cared for her. Although her health declined, her spir it grew strong - inspiring many. It was Karen's purpose to leave this wor ld a better place because she lived in it. The people and ministries she l eft behind are proof of that. Surely her Lord greeted her with a joyful "W ell done good and faithful servant!"
Her family wishes to thank her caregivers at Froedtert Memorial Hospital a nd to all family and friends who supported her and her family over the pa st few weeks.
Services: Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Augu st 12 at Church of Our Saviour Ev. Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac. The Re v. Dewey Wisner will officiate, and burial will be at Lakeview Cemete ry on Lakeshore Drive in the township of Friendship.
Visitation: Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Augu st 11 at Church of Our Saviour. Visitation will also take place from 9 a. m. to 10 on Saturday, August 12 prior to the services.
Memorials: It was Karen's desire that all memorials go directly to the Ca mp Scholarship Fund at Church of Our Saviour, Fond du Lac. Uecker-Witt Fun eral Home is in charge of arrangements
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1941 - 2006 (65 years)
Death Record - Civil
