Karen Elaine Raether, age 77, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday February 21,2023.
At her bedside, were family and Pastor Andy from Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca, at Appleton Medical Center. She was born October 18, 1945 in Kaukauna, WI, daughter of the late Milford and Lorraine (Van De Hey) Spaulding.
On March 23,1991, she was united in marriage to Frederick Raether at St John’s Lutheran Church in Baldwin’s Mill. In 1987 she bought the Pine Cafe and owned it until 1993. During that time, she made many friends and they were like their own little family. There was always tons of chatter and laughter in that wonderful little Cafe. Karen and Fred also owned Fred’s Party Shop in Weyauwega for several years. Karen loved animals and had a soft spot for any furry or feathered baby in need of a home. Most commonly they would end up at the little farmette just outside of Weyauwega where you could catch her bottle feeding and rocking a baby sheep. She spent much of her time riding her horse, Trouble, with her daughter and friends. Anyone who wanted to share in her love for animals was always welcome at the farmette.
Karen is survived by her two daughters: Tammy Bartel and Jolene Green; her baby brother, Glen Spaulding; grandchildren: Brady, Dillon, Sawyer, and Teagan Bartel; nieces and nephews: Don Dains, Matthew and Chadwick Spaulding, Oliver Spaulding, Paige Dudovick, Amanda Grage, Martin and Arden Niemuth, and Emily Fleming; her cockapoo Skippy aka Squiggles, and other precious relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; brother, Leroy Spaulding; sister, Donna Grage; nephew, Allen Dains; and niece, Cindy Niemuth.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca on Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 10am until the memorial service at 11am. Rev. Andy Behrendt will officiate. There will be a luncheon/celebration of life for both Karen and Fred, who passed on April 3, 2020 during the Covid pandemic. The event will be held in the basement of Trinity Lutheran Church immediately following the service.
Friends may visit www.dahlkefh.com to share memories and condolences with Karen’s family. Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral & Cremation Care of Weyauwega is serving the family.