Mary (O’Brien) Karow, recently of Pardeeville, formally of DeForest and Darlington, WI passed away September 13, 2025, after a long battle recovering from a car collision December 26, 2020.

Mary’s life included hobbies of hunting, fishing, sewing, bird watching, photography, and going to country music concerts. She had several out of state hunting trips, to bow hunt Illinois whitetail, gun hunting trips including antelope in Montana, elk in Idaho and Colorado, and Alaska for caribou. When she was able, her sister Joan and sometimes Jean, would go to any country concert in driving distance. In her first few years away from home, she sewed almost everything she wore, even a few coats. Her best memories of sewing were making baby blankets for many of the family’s kids.

During her 38 years working for the State of Wisconsin, Department of Administration, Bureau of Financial Operations, she organized many tailgate parties for Badger and Packer games. She was an avid sports fan following the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks. It is her wish to celebrate her life on her way out and Mary would like you to set aside your normal funeral attire and wear a shirt from a favorite sports team.

The funeral home has a separate room that allows a last hurrah for Mary, one last tailgate party. Please enjoy some tailgate food and celebrate the life of Mary. Food is not allowed in the chapel but may be eaten in that separate room. Enjoy this, as it would make Mary happy.

Mary was born February 24, 1945 in Shullsburg, WI as the older half of the second set of twins, born to parents Ben and Mary O’Brien. She grew up on the family farm in Truman and graduated from Darlington High School with the class of 1963.

She is survived by her two sons, Robert (Kathi) O’Brien of Portage, WI and Scott (Stacey) Karow of Wind Lake, WI. Five grandchildren, Emma and Ben O'Brien, Portage, WI, Skylar, Sawyer, and Sadie Karow of Wind Lake, WI, her twin brother Patrick Gary (Betty) O’Brien of Mesa, AZ. Preceding her in death include her husband Keith Karow of Pardeeville, formerly of DeForest, WI, her parents Ben and Mary O’Brien Mineral Point, WI formerly of Darlington, WI brothers, Francis (Leecha) O’Brien, Mountain Home, Arkansas, Paul (Donna) O'Brien, Sturtevant, WI, Harold (Florence) O’Brien, Sturtevant, WI, Mike (Rita) O’Brien, Lake Tomahawk, WI, Lawrence (Janet) O’Brien, Elkhorn, WI, sister Jean (Phil) Stopper, Baraboo, WI, sister Joan (Del) Carey, Mineral Point, WI. Three other siblings, Donald, Melvin, and Judy died at birth. Also preceding her in death are her in-laws, Howard and Thelma Karow, sisters-in-laws Donna O’Brien and Rita O’Brien, and brothers-in-laws Phil Stopper, and Del Carey.

Visitation (Tailgate Party) will be held at Grasse Funeral Home, 119 Industrial Drive, Pardeeville, WI Thursday September 18 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, September 19, 2025 at St. Faustina Catholic Church at 318 S Main St, Pardeeville, WI. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at Church. Interment will be held at the Pardeeville Cemetery. Luncheon will follow at St. Faustina following the burial service. Memorials can be made to her family or St Jude Children's Research Hospital or American Family Children's Hospital that she supported for many years.