Kara Sal Gruetzmacher, a beautiful 1 lb 2.3 oz baby girl, was born on Saturday, October 24, 2015 in Rockford, Illinois to Theodore and Tangerine (Kratochvil) Gruetzmacher. She died on Sunday, October 25, 2015. Kara was a strong fighter, and her mommy and daddy sweetly called her their “Super Girl.” Kara was born into a big and loving family, and her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were all so very excited for her arrival. From the moment they found out they were pregnant, Kara brought great joy to her parents. Her heartbeat was always strong, and her kicks made her mama very happy. We are so proud that Kara was sent to us to love even though our time together was far too brief. We will hold her in our hearts and minds forever.

Survivors include her mommy and daddy, Ted and Tangerine of Janesville; her paternal grandpa, Gene Gruetzmacher of Merrill; her maternal grandma, Tana Kratochvil of Mountain Grove, MO; her maternal great-grandma, Coletta Schroeder of Wausau; her aunts and uncles: Eric (Amy) Gruetzmacher, Molly (Kurt) Stehr, Betsy (Greg) Sommer, Barbara Gruetzmacher, Andrew (Cristina Camacho) Gruetzmacher, Krista (Pete DeForrest) Gruetzmacher, Tanner (Katie Millenbah) Kratochvil, Toby (Tracey) Kratochvil, Tessa (Lorin) Kaney, Treasure (Dylan) Raney, Robin Kratochvil; her cousins: Isaac, Levi, David, Nora, Wyatt, Carson, Abigail, Austin, Bailee, Elizabeth, Rose, Gage, Logan, Chance, Jonah, Sophia, Bailey, Ella, Amelia; church family in both Merrill and Janesville, and other loving family members too numerous to mention.

Kara was preceded in death by two siblings who died before they were born; her maternal grandpa, John “Jack” Kratochvil; her paternal grandma, Sally Gruetzmacher; and several cousins who died before they were born.

Private family services were held at Park City Baptist Church in Merrill, WI with Pastor Freddy McMillen officiating. Burial was at Saint James Cemetery in Pine River. The Ellestad Camacho Funeral Home, 500 N. 8th Street, Mt. Horeb, WI, is serving the family.

“An angel in the book of life wrote down my baby’s birth. Then whispered as she closed the book “too beautiful for earth.”