Karen J. Norwalk

Karen Norwalk also known as Susie passed away July 20, 2023 at Our Town Assisted Living at the celebratory age of 80. She was born October 6, 1942 to loving parents Mary and Eugene Frayer in Reedsburg. 

Karen spent a lot of time at the Reedsburg Airport due to her Dad working there and their family home was close by. Karen once told a story “Dad and I flew to breakfast one morning together it was the best” In 1958 Karen fell in love with Melvin Thomas Norwalk and married at the young age of 16, they were married in the Catholic Church of St. Patrick’s Church of Loretta Ridge. They enjoyed riding scooters together through the countryside, playing cards, hosting dinners with friends and family members.  Karen and Melvin had two beautiful daughters Mary and Bobette and two sons Todd and Josh. Karen was a loving Mother and Grandmother always making time for family. 

Karen went to school in Reedsburg and had just attended her 60th class reunion in the last couple of years. Karen loved socializing with friends enjoying a cup of coffee, a diet coke, or a vodka grapefruit mixer. On her traveling adventures she went to Hawaii, and lived in California for a time. Karen also had a trailer in Bagley with her eternal lifetime partner Duanne, they made many day trips with her friends and family. She had lived in multiple towns in California before moving back to Wisconsin later in life until her eternal journey home. Karen worked as a unit secretary, CNA, in the Kitchen, Purchasing, and many more odds and ends jobs.  

She is survived by her brothers Charles (Janet) Frayer, and Gary Frayer; sister Linda Busang; sons, Josh (Christa) and Todd Norwalk; son-in-law Ed Phillips; grandsons Justin Norwalk and Easton; granddaughter Sloane Fleischer and Jessica Norwalk; great granddaughters Lexi and Maddie. Furthermore, so many loving family members. She was preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Mary; husband Melvin Norwalk; life partner Duanne Traschler; infant daughter Mary, and four grandchildren .

Celebration of life will be planned at a later date by the family.

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