Karen J. Langer

Karen J. Langer, 82, of Randolph, WI was called to her Heavenly Home on December 12, 2025. Karen was born on April 22, 1943, in Watertown, WI to Clarence and Nina (Becker) Langer.

Karen graduated from the Lake View Country School in 1957 where she was instilled in the love of teaching by her teacher Alita Shadel. She attended Fort Atkinson High School and graduated there in 1961 with a scholarship to attend college. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and graduated with a degree in Primary Education in 1965.

Karen's teaching career started and ended at the Washington Elementary School in Waupun, WI for 35 years. While at Washington, she taught numerous years of Summer School. Being named Waupun's "Teacher of the Year" in 1991 was the highlight of Karen's teaching career. After retirement in 2000, she was a substitute teacher for her district for 7 years. The Fox Lake Elementary School was also a part of the Waupun District, and she taught music there for 2 years.

Karen is survived by her sisters and brother: Sharon Keller, Ronald (Lisa) Langer, and Cindy (Steve) Harris, and sister-in-law Beth Langer. She is also survived by her niece Jeanne (Jim) Schulenburg, nephews Glenn Keller, Neil (Lynn) Keller, Scott (Kara) Langer, Chad Langer, and Derek (Lauren) McLain, great-nieces Lily (fiancé Caleb Dunst), Emelia Keller, great-nephews Nick (Abby) Schulenburg, Cameron and Lennox Langer, and great-great nieces Nora and Maggie Schulenburg, along with her cat Chloe. She is also survived by other relatives and good friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Nina Langer, brother Richard (Dick) Langer, sister-in-law Lori Langer, and brother-in-law Richard Keller and several pets.

Karen enjoyed cooking and baking for the family (especially her Swiss steak dinners, chicken on the bone meals, and the family tradition, her chocolate sheet cake). She enjoyed traveling (especially to Nashville), classic country music and polka music, ceramics, various crafts, scrapbooking, decorating her home for all the holidays and seasons, and planning parties (from bridal showers to the Kentucky Derby.) Karen was very interested in lighthouses (visiting many in WI), moose, St. Bernards, cats, and watching WWII movies.

Karen's faith and love of God was made strong by attending Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waupun. She was actively involved in teaching Sunday School for many years, Co-Supt of Sunday School, teaching Vacation Bible School, served several years on the Church Council, was secretary of the Council, a member of the Lydia Circle, and served on various committees during her lifetime at Immanuel.

After retirement in 2000, Karen moved out to the family home on Beaver Dam Lake to be with her mother. She was inspired by all the beauty of the lake when sitting on the patio and taking in the calm and peacefulness of the water. She enjoyed fishing, boating, and pontooning on the lake with family and friends. Karen also enjoyed all the wildlife that would come to the lake. She loved feeding the birds noting all of the different kinds that would visit the feeders. Her loving care for her lawn and flowers beds were her pride and joy. Karen was a member of the Beaver Dam Lake Improvement Association, being recording secretary for several years.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A Celebration of Life will be held at American Legion Dugout in Fort Atkinson following the service. Private inurnment will take place at Union Cemetery in Sumner Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Waupun Area Animal Shelter, 906 Madison Street, Waupun, WI 53956 or to Agrace Foundation, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711

The family would like to thank Agrace Hospice and Dunlap Memorial Home for the care and compassion that was given to Karen.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

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