Karen Marie Gebhardt, age 76, of Warrens, WI passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Crest View Nursing Home in New Lisbon surrounded by loved ones. She was born on May 9, 1947 in Perham, MN to Jalmer and Ruth Lee (Kimball) Knuttila.

Karen grew up in the Perham, MN area and enjoyed living in Sequim, WA and Portland, Oregon over the years, but called Warrens, Wisconsin home. She married Robert L. Gebhardt on June 27, 1964. She worked for many years at Fort McCoy as a Crime Prevention Specialist until retiring in 1996 and was a faithful member of Open Door Baptist Church.

She loved her family more than anything; along with God, Elvis, The Green Bay Packers, butterflies, gardens, and her pets. She collected angels and snowmen. She loved reading, documenting memories, camping by lakesides, playing games, and cooking almost as much as she loved feeding people. She enjoyed donating to different charities that were important to her, and helping others. She made everyone she talked to feel important and cared for. Karen will be deeply missed by her daughter, Julie, her grandchildren, and all of her dear family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Julie (Gebhardt) and Terry McCollam of Kingman, AZ; brother, Norman of Minnesota; along with her grandchildren, Shayne McGovern, Trista McGovern, Cassandra McGovern, Hope McGovern, Hannah McGovern, Caitlin Henry, and Payton Rogowski; great grandchildren, Lucian, Wesley, and Lettie.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Jalmer and Ruth; her sister, Janet Mae Schroeder; brothers, Marvin, Jerome “Jerry”, and Roland “Rolly” Knuttila; her husband, Robert Gebhardt; her son, Troy Gebhardt; and grandson, Derik McGovern.

Karen will be remembered for being a generous and sweet Grandma. “She was the sweetest and best part of our entire family.” - Julie

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at Open Door Baptist Church in Warrens, WI. Pastor Cass Shell will officiate and a luncheon will follow the service at the church.  The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.