Karen Joy Knutter | Obituaries

Karen Joy Knetter, 59, passed away surrounded by loved ones on September 7. Thanks to the excellent care and support provided by the Carbone Cancer Center following her cancer diagnosis in 2020, she was able to continue to lead an active life until her death.

Karen was born on January 14, 1965, in Long Beach, California, to Joyce (Schill) and Tom Goedewaagen, who instilled in her a strong moral compass. She grew up in Westminster, California, until the family moved to Ohio in 1978. She graduated from Avon Lake High School in 1983, where she was one of the most decorated athletes in the school's history, excelling in basketball, tennis and softball. She was inducted into the Avon Lake Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

In 1983, Karen received a scholarship to play on the basketball team at Stanford University and completed her bachelor's degree in applied geoscience in 1987 and her master's degree in resource planning in 1988. She played part of her career under legendary Stanford coach Tara Vandeveer and made lifelong friends.

Karen married Mike Knetter on July 30, 1988 and moved to Hanover, NH where she worked for Resource Systems Group, an environmental consulting firm, and started a family. Maxine was born in 1997, followed by Lillian in 2000 before the family moved to Madison, WI in 2002.

In Madison, Karen was a passionate presence in schools, churches, Girl Scout groups, youth sports teams, and local nonprofits. She was spontaneous and determined, ate healthy food but always left room for dessert, and was careful to observe what brought joy to others. Her smile was warm and unforgettable, and her laugh drew others to her, inviting them to bask in her light. She delighted in nature, whether in her garden or around the world, and inspired those around her to conserve natural resources and protect natural gifts. Karen was admired as a mother, friend, artist, athlete, yogi, cook, gardener, listener, teacher, and someone who believed, above all, in love and compassion.

Karen's mother, Joyce, predeceased her. She is survived by her daughters Maxine and Lillian, her ex-boyfriend Mike, her father Tom, her sister Jane (Mike) Frazin and her brother Mark Goedewaagen, her nephews Jordan and Tyler Frazin, her cat Naboo, and her chickens Rhonda, Goose and Josh.

A private funeral was held on Friday, September 13th, and a celebration of her life will be held on November 21st at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Wisdom Monastery, followed by a reception. The service will be streamed if anyone is unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen's name may be made to Clean Wisconsin, Carbone Cancer Center, and Center for Healthy Minds.

The Karen Knetter Fund through Clean Wisconsin is accessible at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/clean-wisconsin-inc/karen-knetter-fund.

Gifts may be made payable to the UW Foundation with the designation “Carbone Fund #112909110” or “Center for Healthy Minds Fund #112446373” and mailed to the UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807 or found online at give.wiscmedicine.org/cancer.

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