Karen L Bjerkvold of Appleton, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 at the age of 83.

Karen always loved spending time with her family both while growing up and with her own family. She considered her children and grandchildren the stars in her crown. One of the things Karen enjoyed the most was listening to her family sit around, talking, playing games and laughing their heads off. Karen enjoyed camping and going on road trips with her husband, David, and their two little dogs, Georgie and Charlie.

Karen was a very hard and dedicated worker. After working at various jobs throughout her life, she started working for Zaug’s Food Service at Presto Products where she eventually worked for Presto in Quality Control for 24 more years. After leaving Presto, she went to work at Big Lots part time until she was 80 years old and she finally retired. Karen was so grateful for all the people she met and had the privilege to work alongside. Karen’s quick smile and easy laugh made her new friends everywhere she went. Karen enjoyed gardening, watching the birds, music and singing, and she was an amazing cook. Her chocolate cake and apple pies were legendary.

Karen’s greatest inspiration was to please the people she loved. She wanted them to know how lucky she felt, how proud she was of them and how much she loved them. More than anything, Karen wanted the people she loved to be happy. Karen made sure that her husband, children, grandchildren and friends knew that she will always be with them and that they will never be alone as long as they share love with each other. Karen wanted to remind her loved ones that everyone has bad times and good times and the good times are so much better and worth it…Start out each day with a smile!

Karen is survived by her husband, David Zimmerman (she had “Elvis” walk her down the aisle in Las Vegas!), her daughters, Brenda Mauthe (Mike), Becky Knutzen (Paul), and Belinda Bjerkvold, as well as her grandchildren, Andrea Mauthe, Ben Mauthe (Kirsti), Brianne Buss (Ben), Davis Knutzen (Marina) and Paige Knutzen, and her great-grandchildren, Leo and Elaina, Matthew, and Baby Buss (on the way!), as well as her special cousin, Jim Hoffman.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Ruth (Hoffman) Garnes, and her sisters, Gretchen Mileti and Susan (John) Geiger, along with other loved ones. 

Karen’s parting conviction was to share that she was eager to know what will be her next adventure and that her love will stay with her family and friends forever.

The family would like to thank Dimensions (formerly Brookdale assisted living) and AsceraCare hospice for the care and compassion they showed Karen and her family.