Karen M Butkovich

Chilton WI

Karen M. Butkovich, age fifty-nine of Chilton, passed away on September 22nd, 2022, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with ALS.  She was born on November 10th, 1962, to the late Jerome A. and Gertrude M. (Casper) Stenz in Chilton (Jericho) where she grew up on a small farm North of Jericho with a large loving family surrounding her.  On the farm she learned how to love unconditionally, work hard and always smile. On July 8th, 1989, she married Tony Butkovich Jr. at St. Patrick’s Parish in Maple Grove, WI. Together they raised three wonderful sons: Daryal Butkovich, Jake (Jackie) Butkovich, John Butkovich and his partner, Ric Watson; and two awesome grandchildren: Hunter & Isaac Butkovich.  

Karen began school at Holy Trinity in Jericho and graduated from Chilton High School in 1981.  She then began her working years with Kasson Cheese then onto Fromageries Bel, and finally, the last twenty-five years were spent with Foremost Farms, Chilton. 

Karen was a kind and caring lady who would help anyone in need. She loved her family dearly; they were the light of her life. She was active in her sons sports, rarely missing a football, basktball game, track meet, or swim meet.  Volunteering to help at home games for the Youth League Football and she also participated in scouts as an assistant den leader while her boy's were scouting.  Karen loved watching, teaching, and laughing with her two grandsons, nothing pleased her more. 

Karen loved hopping on the back of her husband’s Harley or snowmobile and going for a ride, where she was known to be so relaxed, she could fall asleep. She loved spending time around any campfire, whether it was the Stenz cabin on Long Lake, up in papa’s north woods camping or in anyone’s back yard she was always up for a good fire. Karen and her sisters would take yearly getaway weekend trips and she always came home with her face and tummy hurting from laughing and smiling so much!

Karen will be missed by her husband: Tony; sons, grandsons; nine siblings; Dan (Carol) Stenz, Jean (Tom) Danor, Linda Dvorak, Steve (Christine) Stenz, Sharon (Pete) Rosenow, Nancy (Ron) Woelfel, Gerry (Karen) Stenz, Ann (Tim) Knoespel and Mark (Diane) Stenz; in-laws: Tony Sr. (Virginia) Butkovich; sibling-in-law; Eric (Anita) Butkovich; Sheila (Dave) VanderHeiden; Henry Butkovich (Theresa Knaus); many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Wayne, John and Rick, brother-in-law, Tom Dvorak and daughter-in-law, Jolene Fhlug-Butkovich.

My family would like to extend a special THANK YOU to all the doctors, nurses and staff from UW Madison, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Calumet Medical Center, Ascension Home Health and Hospice and Calumet County Home Health and Hospice and Garrow Villa for all the treatment, love and care you have given me and my family. You have made this battle more bearable than I can ever say. Special hugs and smiles to Holly, Mellissa, Amanda, Brenda, Rebecca and Barb, your care, compassion, and friendship have made a very difficult time manageable. Thank you to all my family and friends for your help and encouraging words and a special THANK YOU to my husband, Tony who has been at my side thru it all. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: ALS Association (als.org);  St. Jude (stjude.org); or Shriners at lovetotherescue.org

Funeral service will be at 11:30 am on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton.  Friends may call at the Wieting Family Funeral Home from 9:00 am until 11:15 am on Saturday, October 1, 2022.  To see a memorial video in honor of Karen, or view flowers given to the family, please click HERE