Karen Mae (Lynch) Dunlavey, 76 of Browntown, WI passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2022. She was born September 29, 1945, in Monroe, WI the daughter of Delbert and Dorothy (Mahlkuch) Lynch. Karen grew up on the family farm south of Browntown WI. She attended Cadiz County School and thenattended Junior High and High School in Monroe WI. She graduated from Monroe in 1963. She married A.Charles“Chuck” Dunlavey on July 21, 1963 and together they had 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Her working years were spent at J.S. Huffman for 10 years, Dorman’s for 15 years and Swiss Colony for 17 years. All three places she worked in the lab. She was also a caregiver for many in the family. In her spare time Chuck and her dad helped her with a Big Garden and did lots of canning. One time she remembers canning “100 quarts” of tomatoes in one day… She also loved making pies including the crust. One day in 2012 she made six pies with the help of brother Tom and Rosie. Her sons and nephew were invited, and each could take a pie home.
Karen and Chuck were loved by many people Family and Friends. They enjoyed life and made things fun. They were always ready to help someone, and Karen was always doing something for someone. If it was your birthday, you got a Devils Food Chocolate Cake with peanut butter frosting. It was the best!!
She always made time for her 6 grandchildren: Babysitting, picking them up, going to ball games, playing cards, and watching movies at home. Every New Year’s Eve she had the grandkids come over for a party and spend the night. Her grandkids meant everything to her. She also enjoyed traveling. She had 3 special trips with her family and Rosie’s. The first trip was to Florida on the Amtrak Train for Bob and Becky’s wedding. The second was out West to the Black Hills in a rented camper. The third was a trip to Mackinac Island in a van. Later she went to Jamacia for Kevin and Val’s wedding and to Las Vegas to Tom and Dahla’s wedding. The last few years has been trips with the grandkids and their families. In 1958 she went to Canada with her parents and siblings. She always wanted to goback. She had a dream trip back in 2018 – 60 years later she went back with Rosie, Brother Tom, and Dianne. After chatting with Rosie about her life her comment was: I HAVE HAD A GOOD LIFE!!
She is survived by her three children; Kevin and (Val) Dunlavey, Brian and (Staci) Dunlavey and Brett (Brandie Brown) Dunlavey; grandchildren: Seth and Cole Dunlavey, Alex and (Tori) Dunlavey, Benny Dunlavey, Blake and MikinlyDunlavey; siblings: Thomas Lynch of Mineral Point, Rosemary Simonson of Windermere FL, and many nieces and nephews. A special Niece- Nikki Miglore who would fill the spot when she needed a daughter. A special friend through the years and especially this last year, Joyce Fey. She cooked and cleaned and kept an eye on her.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles; parents; sister LuAnn Lynch, Ken and Mary Neuenschwander, Bob(Betty) Dunlavey, Frances Dunlavey, Walt Dunlavey, Joe(Joyce) Dunlavey, Donald Dunlavey, and sister-in-law DahlaLynch.
Vistitation will be held from4:00-8:00pm on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Friday, May 6, 2022, at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL.
Officiating the service will be Pastor Bob Patin.
Burial will take place at the Cadiz Saucerman Cemetery in Browntown, Wi.
A memorial has been established in her name.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com
