Karen Van Rossem

Karen Van Rossem (Kieser) passed from the hands of her loved ones into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Solvay Hospice House on May 25, 2011 after battling ovarian cancer for over 10 years.

Karen was born in Superior, WI on November, 4, 1950 to Desmond and Carol (Martin) Kieser.

She was raised in Superior, WI and was a graduate of Superior Senior High School (1969).

Karen married Richard Van Rossem on July 1, 1972. She worked at a secretary at Jenos corporate office from the mid 70’s to the early 80’s.

Karen moved with her family to Coral Springs, FL in the spring of 1983 where she worked as an office manager for Dr. Laura Lerner at Sunrise Rehabilitation Hospital until the early 90’s.

In 1992 Karen and her family returned to Superior. Upon her return to Superior she began working for the Duluth Clinic.

Karen started her employment for the Duluth Clinic in the Diabetes Center, then moved to the Endocrinology department and later her expertise was utilized in supporting the Clinic’s general and trauma surgeons as a Patient Services Assistant until the time of her death.

Karen loved life and stayed active. While living in Florida she competed in racing walking and took home several first place awards.

She also enjoyed running and ran the Dave Bjorkland Half Marathon twice. She was known as “The Walker” in the Duluth Clinic skywalk system, often logging up to 3 miles a day before work and during her lunch breaks. When she wasn’t exercising she loved doing crafts, beading gifts for friends and scrapbooking her family’s special moments.

During the summer she enjoyed peaceful walks along the shore of Lake Superior collecting weathered glass.

Karen was a faithful servant of the Lord and attended North Bay Community Church.

In addition to her husband Richard, Karen is survived by one daughter, Brianna (Greg) Muller, Tucson, AZ; two sons, Matthew (Theresa) Van Rossem, Phoenix, AZ, Mark Van Rossem, Superior; two grandsons, Bryant Van Rossem and Jackson Muller; one brother, Tom (Cheryl) Kieser, Fort Myers, FL; one sister, Desi (John) Conway, Superior; her father, Desmond (Delores) Kieser, Superior and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Carol Kieser; one sister, Cathy Venci and one brother, Bruce Kieser.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, June 3, 2011 in the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home.

Visitation will continue at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 4, 2011 until the 12 Noon Funeral Service at the Bayside Baptist Church, 3915 No. 16th St., Superior with Rev. Curt Vanderstelt of North Bay Community Church, officiating.

To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold. com.