On Monday, April 20, 2020, Karen Fenner Palmer, age 71 of Shawano, got her angel wings and joined her heavenly family.
Karen was born on September 28, 1948 in Neenah, Wisconsin, the daughter of Erwin and Dorla (Drews) Fenner. She graduated from Winneconne High School in 1966, Valedictorian of her class. She then went to work as a secretary at Wisconsin Public Service where she served in various positions until retiring 42 years later as Public Safety Education Consultant. On August 10, 1974, Karen was united in marriage to Steve Palmer. The couple shared many wonderful adventures throughout their marriage. Karen received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Karen chartered the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Assistants in 1993. For many years she volunteered for the Brown County United Way and the Wolf River Area Junior Achievement, where she served as Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee Chair. She also served on the Public Awareness Committee, the Taste of Shawano Committee, and the Business Challenge Committee for Junior Achievement. Karen served on the Shawano Main Street Board of Directors, the Green Bay on Broadway Main Street program’s Organizational Committee. From 1978 to 1990, Karen and Steve owned and operated Palmer’s Quality Bake Shop in downtown Shawano.
Karen was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano where she was a Sunday school teacher. She was also a JA classroom volunteer, and loved teaching economics for success to the students. Karen loved the outdoors, boating, trips to Door County, and spending time with family up north at the cottage in Eagle River. She enjoyed sitting down and catching up with family and friends. She also enjoyed gardening and flowers, dogs, and bird watching. Family traditions were important to Karen, and she cherished baking Christmas cookies with her mom, sisters, nieces, and nephews. She loved entertaining, and throwing Packer parties for the games. Karen was a godmother to many, including her sister, Lori, and her nephew, Andrew. She was a very generous, kind and loving person, and will always be remembered by her smile and deep dimples.
Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Steve; her stepson Kyle (Jami) Young, and three step-grandchildren, Kylynn, Connor, and Keegan, all of Wyoming, Minnesota; her brother, Jerry (Karen) Fenner of Devils Lake, ND; her sisters, Debbie (Brian) Palmer of Appleton, and Lori (Lyle Olson) Koepp of Waupaca; and several nieces, nephews, and a great-nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, a memorial service will be held at a later date with burial taking place at Lake Drive Cemetery in the Town of Wescott. Memorials are preferred to the Wolf River Area Junior Achievement.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family
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