Karen M. Ernst, 95, died Sept. 14, 2013, at Kindred Heart in Elkhorn.
She was born in Stevens Point on April 4, 1918, to the late Austin D. and Mary E. (nee Handt) Steffen. She spent her early life in Chicago where she graduated from Immaculata High School and Immaculata College.
On Oct. 2, 1937, in Chicago, she married Joseph B. Kiesler Jr., and they lived their married life in Paris Township. He preceded her in death on Jan. 10, 1971. On Oct. 5, 1974, she married Lawrence E. Ernst and they lived their married life in Bristol. He preceded her in death on Jan. 13, 2007.
She was a former member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Paris Township. She enjoyed decorating, cooking, traveling and snowmobiling.
Survivors include her children, Karla Kiesler, Homosassa, Fla., Joseph (Janice) Kiesler III, Racine, Steffen (Penny) Kiesler, Racine, James (Elvira) Kiesler, Hudson, Thomas (Joan) Kiesler, Winter, Gregory (Karen) Kiesler, Trevor, Mary (John) Lois, Burlington, Kristin (Mick) Schmidt, Springbrook; stepsons, Lawrence (Linda) Ernst, Oregon, Tim Ernst, Florida; 34 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren.
She was further preceded in death by her son, Robert Kiesler; grandsons, Joseph B. Kiesler IV, Jacob Kiesler and James Kiesler, Jr.; and brother, Austin D. Steffen Jr.
For memorials, the family requests you have a Mass said in Karen’s name at the church of your choice.
The family would like to thank Mary Hobbs, the staff at Kindred Hearts and Aurora Memorial Hospital, second floor staff, Dr. Jolanta Twardy and Dr. Peter Massert, PA Jamie Deans and Vitas Hospice.
A Private Inurnment will be at St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory, Burlington, served the family.
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