Karen M. Dischler, age 52, of Monroe, Wisconsin, died peacefully on September 17th, 2013 after a courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. She was born on October 4th, 1960, the daughter of Lucas and Virginia (Wahler) Dischler. Karen graduated from Monroe High School in 1979 and worked at the Swiss Colony Inn Cheese Store. She was very proud to have been crowned Cheese Days Queen in 1980.
Karen relocated to the St. Paul area and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Merchandising from the University of Minnesota. At various times while attending college, she was a computer programmer, a sales intern, and assistant to the Commissioner of Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. One of her first positions following college was with IGA Stores as a packaging buyer. Karen then made her career in sales. For the next 15 years, she was a senior sales representative in the plastic packaging industry. Her position required a lot of traveling, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Due to her success in sales, she was awarded numerous trips of her choosing to anywhere in the United States. She belonged to the Minneapolis Chapter of Women in Packaging and was a member of the American Marketing Association. In her spare time, she enjoyed golfing, gardening, and interior decorating, especially with antique furniture. Retiring in 2004, Karen fulfilled her dream of moving to Scottsdale, Arizona in October, 2005. Sightseeing was a fun pastime and she loved the companionship of her feline family. Due to the progression of her Multiple Sclerosis, she came back to Monroe in February, 2012 to be near her family and friends.
Karen is survived by her sisters, Cathy (Larry) Wehinger and Linda (William) Pinnow of Monroe, Wisconsin, and Sally (Gregory) Damsgard of Cottage Grove, Minnesota. She was favorite Aunt Karen to her niece, Marci (Jacob) Boss of Monroe and nephews, Brandon (Jamie) Pinnow of Lena, Illinois, and Lucas, Evan and Russell Damsgard of Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Karen is also survived by 2 great-nieces, Elena and Emily Boss of Monroe, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. Her close and special friend, Mike Stocker, Freeport, Illinois, cared for Karen while in Monroe. She was predeceased by her parents, and a niece, Jillian Damsgard, in infancy.
A celebration of Karen's life will be held on Saturday, October 5th, 2013 at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Victor Church, 1760 14th Street, Monroe, with visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. There will be a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial following with Fr. Michael Klarer officiating. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Monroe. A gathering of family and friends will follow at Nilles Hall in the church basement. Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Wisconsin Chapter and the Green County Humane Society. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to a very special caregiver, Angela, who gave Karen her love and support over the past months. We are also thankful to Trish, Judy, and the Monroe Clinic Hospice staff for their treatment and sensitive care shown to Karen over the past weeks. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.