Sharon Karow of Merrill was inducted into the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society’s (WSGS) Virginia V. Irvin Volunteer Hall of Fame (HOF) at the organization’s recent Gene-A-Rama Conference in Eau Claire March 24-25, 2023.
The Virginia V. Irvin Volunteer HOF was established to honor exceptional service rendered to, or through, WSGS or one of its Affiliated Societies.
Karow and Joyce Bacher were the co-founders of North Pines Genealogy Group. Karow served as President since its inception on February 18, 1985; Karow has found many ways to keep a core group of active volunteers engaged, sought out quality programs and speakers, and involved membership in activities. Karow has helped develop numerous initiatives, including negotiating permanent storage at T.B. Scott Free Library; creating the group’s website, Constitution, Bylaws, and officer job descriptions, which are reviewed annually; creating a Membership Handbook; connecting membership to local resources; and recently wrote “Search Guide to Genealogical Resources in Lincoln County.” She also developed a Heritage Certificate Program for North Pine members.
Karow has been active in the bi-annual Heritage Fair getting speakers and creating displays; teaches a multi-session class for the public entitled “Beginning Your Genealogical Adventure” each spring at the library; and makes presentations to clubs and civic groups in Merrill and Wausau by request. Karow recently helped orchestrate the purchase of the Wistein Krueger Funeral Home Records; recovery of sixteen years of research on the Trinity Lutheran Church which includes 10,000 records; and wrote and published her family history.
Statewide, Karow has been active, reaching out to all WSGS Affiliates as the Northwoods District Representative while serving on the WSGS Board for nine years. She has also been the Advocacy Chair for WSGS 2015- 2020, served on the Executive Board for WSGS 2015-2020, served on the Wisconsin Genealogical Council 1995-1997, and volunteered at Merrill Historical Society 2014-2019.
Karow’s “Beginning Your Genealogical Adventure” class is an eight-week course held at the T.B. Scott Library, usually in the Board Room on the 3rd floor, and typically on Wednesdays beginning in late September. There is a fee for the class which covers the cost for a booklet and copies recipients receive in class, and the class is limited to eight students. For more informtion, contact Karow directly via email at: [email protected] or call 715.218.0609.