Karen Marie Frailing
October 5, 1937 – November 2, 2024
Karen Marie Frailing passed away on Saturday, Nov. 2, following a short illness.
Karen was born to Robert and Lydia Goldschmidt on Oct. 5, 1937, in Brillion, Wisconsin.
In her early days, Karen was a bit of a social butterfly and elite baton twirler; this may have caught the eye of many a beau, but, happily, she landed in the arms of Allen Frailing. They were united in marriage on May 30, 1957, and settled in Appleton, Wisconsin, to grow their family.
In the late 1970s, the Frailing family packed up and moved north to Iola, Wisconsin. For many years, Karen worked alongside Al as a bookkeeper and secretary for Ted & Al’s 76 station.
She was an active member of the Iola community, volunteering as a Lioness for years, quilting with the ladies from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and perhaps most importantly, spending mornings with the “kaffeeklatsch” group of friends who had shared so many years of their lives together.
One of Karen’s greatest endeavors — which can only be described as a shabby chic labor of love — was the annual unveiling of the “HUGE SALE!” on one of Iola’s main streets. For over four decades, Iola Old Car Show attendees, garage sale enthusiasts, and antique-geeks were invited onto the Frailing front lawn (and into the tents, barn, and garage) to search for vintage treasures, books, “man stuff!” and everything in between. If you had a question about any obscure antique, Karen had an answer; if you were looking for a specific vintage item to complete a set, she might know where to find it or would jot your name down and slide a note into the box to keep in mind. (If you looked like you could use a hand with that big banana box of purchases, though, she’d call, “AL!” …There was a lot of teamwork for those huge sales.)
Karen and Al retired together around the turn of the century. They continued to spend nearly every day with each other, whether traveling to the occasional casino, “enjoying” a ball game on TV, or just puttering around at home. Karen was especially fond of all the right sports teams (that is, the Badgers, Brewers, and Packers), a good Friday night fish fry at the bowling alley, and card games with the family. Together, they built a lifetime’s worth of memories and love.
With that love, Karen is remembered by Al, her husband of 67 years, as well as their children Steve (Kristi) Frailing and Jodi Breitenfeldt (Ken), three grandchildren (Jesse Dumke, Mandi and Victor Murray, Jay Richards), and five great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister, Dory Klug, many nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, younger brother Bobby, son Tom, and grandson Nathan.
We are grateful to each friend and loved one who has called, stopped by, left food or flowers, sent a card filled with caring words, or in any other way blessed Karen and our family with warmth and love during this difficult time. We are especially thankful for the kindness of the staff of The Willows, and to the Thedacare Hospice nurses and Heather Gruszynski for their support and compassion gifted to Karen over the last several weeks.
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corner of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” (Jamie Anderson)
Please join us to honor Karen’s life as we share stories, food, and love with a Celebration of Life on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Silver Lake Lanes in Scandinavia.