Karen A. Owens

God called Karen A. Owens to her eternal Home in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. At the time she was in the ICU at U.W. Health Heart Hospital. She fell at home on Friday, January 2nd, hitting her head which caused internal bleeding in her brain.

The family would like to thank the Rockford Fire Department, the staff at U.W. Health emergency room, and the staff in the ICU at U.W. Health Heart Hospital for their outstanding professional assistance and compassion.

Karen was born on July 22, 1949, at Lutheran Hospital in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The daughter of Wilmer and Caroline Fude.

She graduated from high school in Juneau, Wisconsin in 1967.

Karen and her husband Dennis were married on August 7, 1981, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. They moved to Rockford, Illinois a short time later.

Karen worked at Davig's Cleaners in the customer service area for over 20 years, making many long-time friends.

Having large families on both sides, Karen always enjoyed the many family events whether it be grandchildren’s school programs, nephew and great nieces sporting events, and especially spending part of the summers with her sister, Sharon.

Karen was the mother of three children: Lisa (Joe) Reisinger, Tony (Wendy) Kohrt, Teresa (Josh) Jessen. A grandmother of six: Nicole Clay, Nicholas Clay, Cheyenne (Dustin) Dauman, Abigail Kohrt, Makayla Jessen, and Kennedy Jessen. A great grandmother to five: Liam Watson, Hadley Clay, Gracelynn Clay, Jade Clay, and Huntley Dauman.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Wilmer and Caroline Fude, her daughter; Teresa Jessen, and many aunts and uncles.

We are comforted knowing Karen is resting in Jesus' arms. She will always be in our hearts and memory.

A Funeral Service will be on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 502 Orth Road Loves Park, IL 61111, with a visitation prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Highland Memory Gardens in Beaver Dam, WI.