Karen Steffensmeier, age 66 of Fremont, WI passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021.
Karen was born in David City, Nebraska in the Butler County Hospital on April 25, 1954 to John and Genevieve Hanus. The family lived on a farm in the valley by Bellwood, Nebraska until she was five, when they moved to a farm west of David City, Nebraska. She graduated from Aquinas High School where she played trumpet in band and was involved in various extracurricular activities. She later earned a degree in Christian Education from Grace Bible College in Omaha, Nebraska. She then moved to Lincoln where she worked as a Certified Nurse Aide at Eastmont Towers, a Retirement home where she developed her love for the elderly. During that time, she met Paul, the love of her life, and they were married on December 20, 1980. After their marriage, they moved to Grand Island, Nebraska where they resided for over two years before a career change for Paul moved them across the country to the woods of Wisconsin where all five of their children were born: Tim, Jason, Rachel, Luke and Anna. They first lived in New London, WI and later moved to an acreage near Fremont, WI. For twenty-three years, she devoted much of her time to homeschooling her five children. She developed her love for and widespread knowledge of gardening and hobby farming to help care for her family and others. Throughout her adult life she was involved in various church ministries, such as Awana, Bible club, and Hospitality. After her children were grown, she continued caring for her husband, working on her hobby farm, and showing love and generosity to many others. She had the gifts of hospitality and helps and greatly lived up to 1 Timothy 2:10: “Be adorned with good works”. While the family is grieving the loss of their dear loved one, they are rejoicing in the fact that Karen trusted the Lord Jesus as her Savior and that one day they will be reunited with her in heaven.
Karen is survived by her husband, Paul Steffensmeier; children: Tim (Johanna) Steffensmeier, Jason (Megan) Steffensmeier, Rachel Steffensmeier, Luke (Charlene) Steffensmeier, Anna Steffensmeier; grandchildren: Timothy Steffensmeier Jr., Taylor Steffensmeier, Elliana Steffensmeier, Olivia Steffensmeier, Emma Steffensmeier, Savannah Steffensmeier, and Holden Steffensmeier; sister, Connie Johnson and brother, John Hanus. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Genevieve Hanus; sisters, Jeanne Hanus, Mary Kay (Hanus) Cihal; brother, Gerald Hanus.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14 at Faith Community Church in Waupaca. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI. Visitation will also take place at Faith Community Church on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be held at a later date at Central WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King. In lieu of flowers memorials appreciated to Gospel Fellowship Association, Missionary Care Fund or Church Planting Fund, https://gfamissions.org/ or Robbinsdale Women’s Center, Maximizing the Mission, https://mychoicetwincities.com/ Online condolences available at www.hollyfuneralhome.com Holly Funeral Home wants to remind the public, wearing of masks and physical distancing will be observed. We sincerely encourage each person to make your decision whether to attend a visitation and/or service based on the best interest of your health and that of your community. For those not able to attend the service, you may watch the livestream of the service at https://www.faithwaupaca.org/live-stream/ at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.