Karen Villwock

Karen Sue (Schlagenhaft) Villwock, 69, Norwalk, Calif., formerly of Loyal, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family, on Monday, March 1, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Karen was born on April 14, 1951, the daughter of Anthony and Dawn (nee Hawley) Schlagenhaft. She attended St. Anthony Catholic School and Loyal High School, graduating in 1969. She moved to Madison after graduation and worked at the phone company and Lakeshore Hospital. She married the love of her life, Greg Villwock, on Aug. 4, 1975, in Wausau. They lived in Wisconsin and Oregon before moving to southern California. They had one son, Jeffrey. Greg passed away on May 13, 2006. For many years, Karen assisted Greg in the family sales business. Her ability to work with and her love for special needs children moved her to apply for a teacher’s aide job with the ABC Unified School District in Los Angeles. She retired from that job after more than 20 years of making a difference in students’ lives. She was always a Wisconsin girl at heart and maintained many close friendships from high school. She was a “cheer”ful Packers and Lakers fan, enjoyed crocheting, and playing Scrabble and cribbage. Mostly, Karen loved spending time with her grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

Survivors include her son, Jeff (Corinne); grandsons Trent and Wyatt, and granddaughters Kaela and Scarlett; her brothers: James (Margean) Schlagenhaft of Sun Prairie, Mark (Tammy) Schlagenhaft of Chili, and Ronald Hansen of Conrath; her sisters: Cheryl (James) Sharp of Pemberville, Ohio, and Barbara (Tim) Nysted of Oracle, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Greg, and her parents.

Rest in peace, dear Karen.

PAID OBITUARY 101849