Karen Jean Kaplan, 60, of Kenosha, passed away Friday, February 29th, 2008, at United Hospital System-Kenosha Campus. Born on May 24, 1947, in Ontonagon, MI, she was a daughter of the late Reuben I. and Jean R. (Calkins) Lehto. Karen attended local Kenosha schools and graduated from Tremper's first graduating class in 1965. She joined the United States Navy shortly after graduation. While on leave in Kenosha, she met Jerome Kaplan; after a two week courtship Karen married her lifelong partner, of 39 years, on June 3, 1968, after returning to San Diego, CA. Karen worked for United Hospital System-Kenosha Campus for 33 years, retiring in August of 2006. Her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, and family. She also loved to cook and spend lots of time in her flower garden. Surviving are her husband of 39 years, Jerry; three children, Kerri L. (Colby) Fillip of Lake Geneva, John A. (Sherri) Kaplan of Sharon, WI, and Abby A. (William) Schmidt of Kenosha; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Dennis L. (Janis) Lehto of Buckeye, AZ, and Dana T. (Sherry) Lehto also of Arizona; a sister, Barbara R. (Norman) Ernest of Ontonagon, MI; her favorite aunt, Donna M. Brookins of Ontonagon, MI; and an uncle, Lloyd (Dolly) Lehto of Ironwood, MI. She was preceded in death by a brother, Kevin H. Lehto. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 3rd, at the Proko Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family would be appreciated.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Karen's Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Jennifer (Huber) Wise
Dear Abby and Family,I am sorry to hear about your mom. I may not have seen her since I was a kid but she was a great person and mom. I will cherish the memories that we all shared. Jenny
Joanne Charon (Turner)
March 9, 2008
John and Family,Over the years, it has been hard to keep tabs on everyone from childhood. I was just informed that your mother passed and this seemed to be the only way for me to share with you my condolences. I am truly sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of grief. May God Bless your future and I hope all will be better soon.Sincerely,Joanne Charon (Turner)
Tom and Connie Allen
March 7, 2008
Jerry, We are so sorry for your loss. Karen was such a special person - loving wife, Mother, Grandmother, friend to many, dedicated worker. We did not hear of her passing until yesterday or we would have been there in person to offer our condolences. We are thinking of you and your family. God Bless you. Tom and Connie
Amy Rusecki
March 6, 2008
Abby, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mom was such a nice lady, if you need anything or want to hang out give me a call.. Love,Amy
Ginger Skarda
March 6, 2008
Jerry & Family, I'm so very sorry for your loss, Karen was an outstanding person. ( MY ONE AND ONLY TRUE FRIEND TILL THE END )With Love, Ging.
Kathy Skarda-Wood
March 5, 2008
Karen Kaplan was the most sweetest, caring and loving woman I have know. I have had the pleasure of knowing her for over 35 years as she was my parents next door neighbor and like a second Mom to me. Karen was a giver, always giving her time, food, drinks and much happiness to everyone she knew. On Halloween it was always a given that we all went to Karen's and Jerry's house for her Stuffed Cabbage. Karen loved Halloween, she would always have a house full of people and loved seeing all the kids in their costume's. All the neighbor kids would get big bags of candy and a soda the adults would get a Miller Lite. Anyone that could not make it over to the house she would send them some food home. Karen loved her family dearly and she was so proud of all her children and Grandchildren. I will miss Karen so very, very much, and I will never forget all the good times we had together and everything she has done for myself and my family over the years.Love,Kathy Skarda-Wood
Gale Strohkirch
March 5, 2008
Jerry, I am sorry to hear about Karen. I know what you are going through. I lost Jerry a year ago last Christmas season. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Just remember all the good times you two had and know she is watching over you. Wish I could be there at this time but as I work I am unable to but at least I am thinking of you and the family. Take care JerryGale StrohkirchLaFarge, Wi
Billy & Dana Anderson
March 4, 2008
Jerry & Family.We are so sorry for your loss. Karen was a wonderful woman with a smile always on her face. Words cannot explain what is feeling. May God be with you and your family and know that she will be waiting for you at heavens gates when the time comes for her family and those who were close to her. We are just in so much shock about this. I am sorry I was unable to make it to the wake, I had to work and there was no way they were letting me off work. I am sorry Jerry. Please let Dana and I know if you need anything. Again, we are so sorry for your loss. All we can do now is rejoice in the memories this wonderful lady brought to so many. Our Deepest Sympathy, Billy & Dana Anderson
CATHY HAGEN
March 4, 2008
SINCE I BECAME ILL LAST SPRING, KAREN WAS ONE OF MY STANCHOUS SUPPORTERS. SHE DID SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR ME EVERY WEEK FROM GETTING ME A COMPUTER BECAUSE I WAS GOING INSANE BEING HOME ALL THE TIME TO BRINGING ME TO THE SPOT FOR LUNCH. SHE ALSO HAD A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON HOSPITAL BENEFITS.SHE WAS A DEAR FRIEND WHO CAN NEVER BE REPLACED. THANK YOU KAREN FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
CATHY HAGEN
March 4, 2008
SINCE I BECAME ILL LAST SPRING, KAREN WAS ONE OF MY STANCHOUS SUPPORTERS. SHE DID SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY WEEK FOR ME FROM GETTING A COMPUTER SO I WOULDN'T GO INSANE FROM BOREDUM TO BRINGING ME TO THE SPOT JUST BECAUSE A CHEESEBURGER SOUNDED SO GOOD. SHE ALSO HAD A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON BENEFITS AT THE HOSPITAL.SHE WAS A DEAR FRIEND WHO CAN NEVER BE REPLACED.THANK YOU KAREN FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP!
dan and pat zernia
March 3, 2008
Several years ago at the Corkscrew I admired Karen's Christmas jinglebell earings. She promptly took them off and gave them to me (over my protests)and I have proudly worn them every Christmas season every since that day. Many people have commented on them and I have repeated the story of how I got them many times. Karen was generous and gentle, hardworking and dedicated. Dan says "She was always nice". She touched our lives in her special way was and those earings will always be treasured because they came from her.
Steve and Terri Formella
March 2, 2008
Karen was a fantastic lady who was always there for her friends and family and she will be greatly missed. Jerry, our deepest sympathies to you and your family at this time of sorrow. Steve and Terri Formella
Jim and Phyllis Skarda
March 2, 2008
Jerry, May our gracious Lord, Who has given your loved one a joyous welcome in Heaven, send his loving, comforting spirit to console you and your family until you're reunited. Our sympathy Jim and Phyllis Skarda