Karen Jean Griswold

January 24, 1961 - June 4, 2009

Karen Jean Griswold (nee Biel), age 48, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2009, at her rural Beaver Dam home after a year-long battle with cancer. She was born on January 24, 1961 in Beaver Dam, the daughter of Delwyn and Mary (McDowell) Biel. She attended Fall River Public Schools, graduating in 1979.

On July 14, 1978, Karen wed Steve Griswold. They raised their sons, Nick and Jeff, on the family farm. Through the years Karen also worked at Evenson”s Hallmark store, JC Penney”s for many years, and most recently at the Beaver Dam Library. Karen was a much-loved friend and co-worker and will be truly missed. Karen loved spending time with her three grandchildren. Her hobbies included scrap-booking and making beautiful cards she was sure to send for birthdays and other occasions. She always remembered everyone”s special days. Karen was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Beaver Dam and the Lost Lake-Randolph Historical Society.

Karen is survived by her husband, Steve, who has been an amazingly devoted and compassionate caregiver during the past months; sons, Nick of Reeseville and Jeff (fiancAC., Amber Kleckner) of Beaver Dam; grandchildren, Summer, Meghan, and Alex; her parents, Delwyn and Mary Biel of Randolph; siblings, Barbara (Glenn) Smith of Maple Grove, MN, Denise Erickson of Rice Lake, Dr. Dan Erickson of Rice Lake, David (Darci) Biel of Fall River, and Valerie (RJ) Johnson of Randolph; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Jane Griswold of Beaver Dam, sister-in-law, DeDe (Greg) Sadoski of Randolph, brothers-in-law, Dan (Renee) Griswold of Juneau, Paul (Betty) Griswold of Beaver Dam, and Adam (Stacy) Griswold of Beaver Dam. She is further survived by her godchildren, niece, Nicole Griswold and nephew, John Harter as well as many other nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn Harter, infant brother, Robert, and grandparents, Earl and Verna McDowell, and Leonard and Claire Biel.

Special gratitude is given to the Hillside Hospice staff for making her so much more comfortable, Dr. Lucarelli and the staff at Randolph Community Clinic, the staff at UW Hospital and the UW Oncology program.

Visitation will be at Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Monday, June 8, 2009 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. There will also be a visitation at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 127 W. Maple Ave., in Beaver Dam on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 from 10:00 AM until the time of service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at the church on Tuesday at 11:00 AM with Fr. John Schreiter officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael”s Cemetery, Town of Beaver Dam, followed by a luncheon in the church fellowship hall.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Karen J. Griswold”s name to Hillside Hospice, 709 S. University Ave., Beaver Dam, WI 53916, or to American Cancer Society, 8317 Elderberry Rd., Madison, WI 53717.

Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, or for directions and other information, please visit our website at www.MurrayFH.com.

Service Details

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009, 11:00am, St. Katharine Drexel Maple Ave. Church-Beaver Dam

Interment Details

St. Michael’s Cemetery-Beaver Dam

See Condolences

Dear Steve, Mr & Mrs. Beal and family, I just learned of Karen''s passing and am sorrowed. I remember growing up with Karen and attending the Fall River School with her. I have many fond memories of Karen & Steve from back in the 70''s. You were both very good friends. Steve, Mr & Mrs. Beal and family, please accept my deepest sympathy and know you are in my prayers.

Mr. and Mrs. Beal, Steve and family, Though it has been many years since Karen and I have seen each other, I remember her with the warmest of thoughts in our days together at Fall River High School. I''ve seen Mrs. Beal on my few trips back to Wis, and have always made a point of asking about Karen and her family. Please accept my deepest sympathies in the loss of your daughter, wife, mother, sister and grandma. May God bless you in your time of loss. Cindy

Denise, Dave, Coby and Family, My Deepest Sympathy. I know first hand now,, that the words won''t always bring sorrow. Please remember that...."Death leaves a Heartache no one can Heal,.. Love leaves a Memory no one can Steal." With in the last month we have lost so many awesome people from our little community.. Mr Tank/my Mom/ Mrs. Crossman and now Karen. God has a plan for each of them. Take Care!! Diane

Dear Steve, Delly, Mary and Family, Our deepest sympathies are with all of you at this difficult time. I have such wonderful memories of Karen when I would come up to the farm with my Mom and Dad. Our love, thoughts and prayers, Kathy and Steve Pechukas

Del, Mary and Family, You have my deepest sympathies for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. I''ve known Mary for many years, even before I worked with her at ShopKo. Mary, you are one of the neatest ladies I have ever met. To have a mom like Mary, Karen had to be a very special person. I''m sure she will be greatly missed. Try to take comfort in an end to her suffering. God Bless. Shana

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Dear Steve and family, Our deepest sympathy to you in the passing of Karen. May the end to her suffering bring comfort to you all during this difficult time. I had prayers of intentions said for Karen during our Mass yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. Love, Tim & Jolene (Wedel) Westerman and family Chesapeake, VA

Dear Del and Mary - Please let us know if there is anything at all that we can do. We are so very sorry for your lose. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love - Tom and Carla

Dear Griswald family, You are extended family (Jenny is daughter to Ron and Sue Prager) and we would like send our many blessings and sincere thoughts during this hard time. We didn''t often get to see you, but I have wonderful memories of our visits on the farm. I know my mom (Sue) had the pleasure to work with you at JcPenny''s and I have fond memories of chatting with Karen during that time. We will pray that each day you all find comfort and peace knowing Karen is in a wonderful place. Bless you all and remember all the good times and bad times so you have something to take with you each day! Take care, Jim and Jenny Pichler (Prager)

I am thinking of you all as you lament the loss of your wife, mother, daughter, and sister during this tragic time in your lives. I found this song to be of great spiritual inspiration and emotional comfort during my own personal loss and I hope the lyrics prove as comforting to you as they were to me at a time when one needs them most. Karen is now reunited with her older sister, Marilyn, both of whom I had the privilege to know. HOME WHERE I BELONG Written by Pat Terry They say that heaven''s pretty, and living here is too. But if they said that I would have to choose between the two. I''d go Home, going Home, where I belong. And sometimes when I''m dreaming, it comes as no surprise. That if you look and see the homesick feeling in my eyes. I''m going Home, going Home, where I belong. While I''m here I''ll serve him gladly, and sing him all my songs. I''m here, but not for long. And when I''m feeling lonely, and when I''m feeling blue. It''s such a joy to know that I am only passing through. I''m headed Home, going Home, where I belong. And one day I''ll be sleeping, when death knocks on my door. And I''ll awake and find that I''m not homesick anymore. I''ll be Home, going Home, where I belong. I will be sending up prayers that God provides you the fortitude to get through this emotionally turbulent period of adjustment in your lives. We just never know when our time will be up, here on Earth; and, for that very reason, it should instill in us a desire to live each and every day, as though it were our very last. Our loving remembrances of those who''ve gone on ahead, although they no longer reside in the physical realm, they exist, nonetheless, in the Spiritual. We''d do well, to keep in mind that when we find ourselves feeling powerless and trapped in a state of despair about a life situation, we must remember that God, in His infinite kindness, wisdom, and mercy, will also carry us through. Life is a series of transitions; but, that''s the way it''s supposed to be. This life is a mere moment of our existence ... and a fleeting one, at that! As you walk, with courage, in this world and do all the good you can, not only out of respect for the memory of those who have left us, but also for God, who has made it possible for us to be reunited with Him and those same loved ones, when we, one day, will reunite, try to remember their parting from us is only temporary. Look up with continued trust, in Him; smile as you bask in the radiance of His love and keep nurturing your faith in all that is good. As always, my love, Annette

Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of Karen. Karen and I were roomates when our children were born in 1981. She was a sweet and special woman. I was saddened to hear of her suffering. I also had the pleasure of working with her mom Miss Mary at Shopko for many years. I now live in North Carolina and am not able to attend services, but my thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.