Karen A. Larson 67

Karen A. Larson, 67, of Coon Valley died unexpectedly Sunday June 5, 2011. She was born August 2, 1943 to Adolph and Virginia (Tuma) Beier in La Crosse County. She graduated from West Salem High School. Karen was united in marriage to Carliss Larson on November 16, 1963 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Karen worked at Trane Co. in La Crosse for many years, retiring in 2003. She also worked as a waitress over the years at Ridgeview Inn, Jerry's Place, Michael's Cerice and most recently the Stockyard in Coon Valley where she was currently the Senior Meal Manager. She was a member of the Coon Valley Lutheran Church and WELCA and was past president of the La Crosse Chapter of the Women's Bowling League. Karen enjoyed dancing, flower gardening, watching and feeding birds, bowling, golfing, bingo, trips to the casino, spending time with her family at the cabin, cooking, baking cookies with her grandchildren, making her famous potato salad and organizing large family events where no one went away hungry.

Survivors include her husband Carliss; 4 children Kristine (Marvin) Amundson of Westby, Katherine (Ralph Jr.) Schedivy of Chaseburg, Eric (Michelle) Larson of Holmen and Karla (Ron) Collins of Coon Valley; 8 grandchildren Alyssa and Kyle Amundson, Kelse Larson and Dena Schedivy, Merissa and Dexter Larson and Jake and Emily Collins; 4 siblings Doris Bakke, Dale Beier (Carol Marx), Gretchen (Dan) Montgomery and Theresa (Roger) Zimmermann; a sister-in-law Elva Beier and a special uncle Clinton Larson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter Deanna in infancy; a brother Duane "Buddy" Beier Sr., a brother-in-law Richard Bakke, a sister-in-law Kay Beier and 2 great nieces Naomi and Celeste.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday June 9, 2011 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

A special thank you to everyone for their care, concern and prayers during this difficult time.