It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Karen Kathleen Dexter, 85, of Brighton, who left us on Monday, March 3, 2025, surrounded by loving family in her final moments. Full of love, laughter and resilience, she touched the lives of all who knew her.
Karen was born on July 20, 1939, to Betty and Wesley Maison in Bismark, North Dakota. When she was young her family moved to Racine. She attended St. Catherine’s High School and upon graduating went to beauty school. After graduating from beauty school, she worked at Zahn’s in Racine for seven years. She met her loving husband on her birthday in 1961. They were married May 5, 1962 at St. Edwards Church in Racine and were blessed to spend the next 62 years happily married. Karen and Gene went on to have two children, Tammy and Jeff.
In 1975, Karen changed her career and began working as a cook at St. Francis Grade School. She changed paths again around 1984, working at First Banking Center where she would later retire in 2001.
In her spare time, you could find Karen nestled up in a good book, tending to her garden in the back yard, or fishing on the boat with her husband and grandkids. She loved a good craft fair, watching game shows, baking, playing cards and spending time with her family.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents Betty and Wesley Maison, her sister Isabell (Robert) Fox, her in-laws Bill and Edith Dexter, her daughter Tammy Henning, and her husband Eugene.
She is survived by her son, Jeff (Kelly), sisters-in-law Karen (Jim) Ehlen and Celesta Dexter; son-in-law Steve Henning, grandchildren Lukas (Demi), Patrick, Cheyenne and Zoe; and great-grandchildren Leo and Millie.
We want to thank the staff at Oak Park Place in Burlington, and St. Croix Hospice for the great care over the past few months.
We invite all who knew her to join us in remembering a truly remarkable woman. Services will be held at St. Francis Church in Brighton on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Visitation with family will be from Noon until 1:30 p.m. Mass will start at 1:30 p.m., with burial to follow.
Integrity Funeral Services is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.integrityfunerals.net.
-
-
-
-
-