Karen Hargrave

January 3, 1943 - January 29, 2020

Karen Hargrave, age 77, passed away Wednesday afternoon, January 29, 2020 with her loving husband of 58 years, by her side, holding her hand. She was born on January 3, 1943 in Milwaukee, WI to Frank and Ethel Zvolena. Karen attended Mukwonago High School where football games, bowling and friends were all highlights of being an MHS Indian. But, the biggest highlight was meeting the love of her life, Larry Hargrave, whom she married on May 5, 1962. Since farming was always their passion, they began their married life together by purchasing a small farm in Ixonia WI. After selling this farm, they operated a dairy farm in Janesville for Melford and Luella Hill. Some good friends from Berlin then informed Karen and Larry of a larger farm for sale south of town, so in 1972 they moved themselves, their 4 children and all their belongings to Highway 49 where they created a beautiful farm and family. During this time, Karen worked at Sentry Foods, while also helping to run the farm. Taking care of her hard-working family with three meals a day and some type of dessert was always her number one priority. They lived there for 13 years, and then moved to a smaller home to pre retire in, while their oldest son Rick, continued to run the family farm. During this time, Karen also took on the job as Treasurer for the Town of Berlin. Here is where they had more time to spend with their wonderful family and friends. Karen loved to meet up for breakfast with her girlfriends once a month, take her grandkids on picnics, spend a weekend with the ‘Great Eight’ gals, enjoy a Friday Night fish fry with their snowmobiling gang, as well as host a multitude of holiday get-togethers with their family. Karen and Larry also had time to enjoy their cottage in Mountain with family and friends. Karen will forever be remembered for her love of her family, friends, her faith and we can’t forget her loving animals, Tippy and Spooky. Her other loves in life were chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate followed by a nice glass of Chillable Red. Karen is survived and will be sadly missed by her husband, Larry, her four children, Richard (Carla) Hargrave, Robert (Cathy) Hargrave, Lisa (John Meier) Beck, and Lon (Kathy) Hargrave. Her 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren (with one on the way) will miss her constant force feeding of ice cream and desserts whenever they visited. Ask any one of them how to use a ringer washer, and they will be able to tell you. Relatives and friends may visit with Larry and family on Friday, February 7 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and Saturday morning from 9:00 – 10:00 am at the Wiecki- Skipchak Funeral Home of downtown Berlin. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at All Saints Catholic Parish on Saturday, February 8 at 10:30, with Father David Greenfield officiating. Following the mass, Karen will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery with a celebration of life to follow at the Berlin Conservation Club at W898 White Ridge Rd. Berlin, WI. Memorials will be established in Karen’s name.