Mary Ann M. Karow, age 88, of Merrill, died Friday, October 5, 2012, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.
Mary Ann was born October 10, 1923, in the Town of Pine River, Lincoln County, daughter of the late Herbert and Olga (Voight) Rakow. She married Oscar Karow on June 21, 1941, in the Town of Pine River. He preceded her in death on February 21, 1986. Mary Ann was employed for 23 years as a sales clerk at the former McClellan’s Dime Store, Merrill. She was a Red Cross volunteer; was active with the Trinity Lutheran Church Ladies Aide; was a member of the “Home Makers Club”; had been a 4-H leader; played in several card clubs; was a member of the North Pines Genealogy Group; and was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary. Mary Ann enjoyed camping at Patricia Lake in the Minocqua area; traveling with family and friends; playing cards with her grandchildren and great grandchildren; and playing domino’s with her friends at Park Place. Mary Ann’s pie’s and pie crusts were the best! Her family was the most important thing to her in her life.
Survivors include her children, Lola ( George) Devine, LaCrosse, Dennis (Sharon) Karow, Karen Karow, and Lorie Karow, all of Merrill; four grandchildren, Theresa (Bruce) Giese, Baraboo, Ginny (Steve) Limberg, Mitchell, South Dakota, Krista (Greg) Johnson, Lac du Flambeau, and Mindy Karow, Appleton; seven great grandchildren, Ashley Giese, Ashley Buechler, Calvin, Jed, and Tess Limberg, and Wasanodae and Koen Johnson; two great great grandchildren, Alexandra Buechler and Tatum Bristol; two sisters, Elaine (Glenn) Hodgson, Davis, Illinois, and Ramona (Jim) Feldmann, Santa Monica, California; one brother in law, Bill Christofferson of Maple Grove, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Karow; her parents, Herbert and Olga Rakow; a son, David Karow; a grandson, George Devine; a sister and brother in law, Delores and Steven Markstrom; a sister and brother in law, Verdella and Gerry Winkleman, and another sister, Lee Christofferson.
The funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Scott Gustafson will officiate. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Taylor and Stine Funeral Home, and after 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at the church.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com
The family has suggested that memorials be directed to Trinity Lutheran School for tuition assistance, or to the Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry.
The Karow Family wishes to thank Dr. Krohn-Gill, Pine Crest Nursing Home and staff, and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for the wonderful care given to Mary Ann.