Karen (Gumaer) Martzke, 60, of the town of Wescott, passed away Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, after a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. Karen was born Nov. 25, 1954, in Shawano and was the only child of the late Marge (Hill) and Richard Gumaer.
Karen graduated from Shawano High School in 1973. She worked at 3-D Metal and WTCH Radio Station for the majority of her career. On May 16, 1987, she was united in marriage to Michael Martzke at the First Presbyterian Church in Shawano. The couple farmed the Martzke Homestead, fourth-generation farm, until retiring and moving to Karen’s childhood home on Shawano Lake. Karen was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church in Red River. Karen loved her animals and watching the birds in her yard and ducks on the lake.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband of 26 years, Mike; mother and father, Marge and Rich; and a beloved aunt, Adelaide “Girlie” Gumear.
Karen is survived by her paternal cousins, Rick Herzfeldt, Tom Herzfeldt, Susan Ponchaud, Mary Beth Leopold; Julie Wirtz; maternal cousin, Les Chayken; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eldor and Norma Martzke; sister-in-law and brother in-law, Pam and Rick Sperberg; sister-in-law, Roxy Martzke; and godson, David Dorak.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at the Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with the Rev. Jerry Cho officiating. Visitation will be held from noon until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shawano Humane Society, 1290 Jaycee Court, Shawano, WI 54166, in Karen’s name.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Maple Lane Nursing Home and Heartland Hospice for their care of Karen.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
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