Mary Karlene May Gebhard, 89, died Dec. 6, 2022 at Oak Park Place in Burlington, surrounded by family and friends.
Karlene, born on Feb. 2, 1933 in Chicago, was the first born of five daughters as well as twin brothers, who died as infants, to Dr. Karl and Berniece (nee Lyons) Klocker. She spent her first 16 years in Chicago and was upset, which would be typical for a teen, when her father moved the family to Burlington, to expand his medical career and enjoy his interest for farming in addition to giving his family a healthy, rural environment.
Karlene graduated from Saint Mary High School. It was in Burlington that she met her husband James May Sr. They married in 1952 at Holy Name Parish in Wilmot and made their home in Burlington for many years. They welcomed their only son, James May Jr. in 1953.
Several years after Jim Sr.’s untimely passing, Karlene met James Gebhard on a Vagabond ski trip. They married and moved to Stevens Point. Together, and with friends, they enjoyed many canoe trips on the Plover River, bicycle adventures in Door County, ski tours and sailing trips where she and Jim Gebhard were known as Capt. and Mrs. Crab. Fond of traveling, they traveled extensively to Europe and beyond. Karlene loved talking about the many “carp fest” fishing tournaments they enjoyed with friends in Stevens Point.
Karlene is survived by her son, James (Candace) May Jr.; granddaughter Taylor May; sisters Barb Straus, Ann (Bob) Nienhaus, and Patty Ebbers; James (Jane) Weis; foster son John Burke; three great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Karlene was preceded in death by her parents, twin brothers, husband James May, husband James Gebhard, sister Kathleen Weis, brother-in-laws Bob Straus and Dave Ebbers, sister-in-law Sister Mary Francis Gebhard and foster daughter Sally Pluck.
Karlene liked to knit, golf and worked in a jewelry store where she spent most of her paycheck, after she retired as executive secretary to the President of First National Bank. She also volunteered at the gift shop at Aurora Medical Center in Burlington for many years. She looked forward to Tuesdays as she spent them visiting, playing bridge and having lunch with her gal pals. She immensely enjoyed visits with her furry four-legged friend Honey Girl.
People like to hear that she swam the narrows of Lake Geneva with family friend Father Heisse. In her youth, Karlene was quite athletic and was both a gymnast and springboard diver.
Karlene was adored by all that knew her and will be greatly missed.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Oak Park Place and Saint Croix Hospice for their excellent care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Charles Parish or St. Croix Hospice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 until 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Charles Cemetery.
Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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