Karen Lee Mertens

Karen Lee (Knutson) Mertens, age 65 went home to be with her Lord on August 3, 2006. She was born on July 25, 1941 in Appleton, Wisconsin to parents Elmer and Hazel Knutson. She had two sisters; Dorothy (Mel) Thorp and Lois (James) Witzke and one brother; Peter (Nan) Knutson. She married Dean Christensen in 1961and they had three children. They are Connie (Rick) Weiss, Brett (Brandee) Christensen, and Bart (Leeann) Christensen. On August 6, 1974 she married the true love of her life Dennis Mertens and spent nearly 32 years making every moment count.She was an employee of the Greyhound Bus Company since 1982 and owner and operator of the Oshkosh Greyhound station for the past 7 years. She delighted in serving others and witnessing her strong Christian faith. She inspired many from all walks of life. She was very active within her own church family. She was a Sunday school teacher; she taught Adult Classes, participated in the 1st Place Bible study, was active in the Befriender Ministry program as well as Bereavement Ministry, which she was very instrumental in bringing to her congregation. Karen's love for the Lord was powerful. And her love of family was just as strong. She especially loved the time she spent with her grandchildren. She also loved living on the lake and tending to her gardens. She will be missed but for those who knew her best, they already know that she is truly home. In her final year Karen along with husband Dennis became passionate about making church camp possible for any child who was a part of their church family. They set up the Camp Scholarship Fund and were successful in raising enough funds to send 19 kids to camp for free this summer including two of their own grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Dennis, her three children; Connie, Brett and Bart, 6 grand children and a large community of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Hazel Knutson, her sister, Dorothy Thorp and her brother-in-law James Witzke.Her family loved and cared for her. Although her health declined, her spirit grew strong "“ inspiring many. It was Karen's purpose to leave this world a better place because she lived in it. The people and ministries she left behind are proof of that. Surely her Lord greeted her with a joyful "Well done good and faithful servant!" Her family wishes to thank her caregivers at Froedtert Memorial Hospital and to all family and friends who supported her and her family over the past few weeks.



Services: Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 12th at Church of Our Saviour Ev. Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac. The Rev. Dewey Wisner will officiate, and burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery on Lakeshore Drive in the township of Friendship.Visitation: Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 11th at Church of Our Saviour. Visitation will also take place from 9 a.m. to 10 on Saturday, August 12 prior to the Memorial service. Memorials: It was Karen's desire that all memorials go directly to the Camp Scholarship Fund at Church of Our Saviour, Fond du Lac. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.