Karen Tepolt Brooks

Karen Brooks lost her battle with Scleroderma on 12-24-2020.  She was born on 11-22-1940 to Kenneth and Margo Tepolt in Appleton and lived there until she was 15 at which time she moved to Kaukauna.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Parish now St. Katherine Drexel.  She graduated from Kaukauna High School with the class of 1959.  She married Paul Heindel in 1961 and they had 6 children.  After her divorce in 1975, she married the love of her life Ben Brooks in 1979.

When her children were young she was involved in scouting as a den mother and was also a La Leche League Leader for several years.

She retired from Kaukauna Utilities in 2001 after 22 years.  After retirement, Karen worked at High Cliff Marina for five years and also volunteered at the Loaves and Fishes food pantry until her death.

She enjoyed knitting, sailing, and traveling with dear friends.

Most of all she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and her dear friends from the program.

Survived by husband Ben; children, Mark (Mary) Heindel, Paula (Brian) Jacobs, Adam (special friend Darcy Jackson) Heindel, Shane (Pam) Heindel, Kevin (Cristina) Heindel, and Bart (Stacey) Heindel, step-children Terri (Chuck) Conn, and Ty Brooks (who she always thought of as her 6^th son).  Further survived by 12 grandchildren; Jennifer and Katie (Andy Mohrlok) Kessler, Nicolee, Samantha, Willy, Makayla , Leah, Logan, Nathaniel, Lukas, Joshua, and Paul Anthony Heindel and great-grandchildren Noah and Elaina Mohrlok, Rose Kessler, Caleb, Carter and Cadence Heindel.  Step-grandchildren: Tawny Wilber(Eric Lane), Melissa (Matt Barlament), Eric Wilber (Vanessa), Edwin Wilber (Charly), and Madonna Wilber (Joe Reynolds) , and eight step great-grandchildren.  Also a sister Pam (Gordy) Van Deraa, sisters-in laws Jeanne Tepolt and Lynn Tepolt, Betty and Terry Brooks. Special niece Aimee McKay.  Preceded in death by parents, Kenneth and Margo, and step father, Otto Obermeyer, brothers: Donald, Jeffery, and Rodney Tepolt, brothers-in-law Lionel and Tom Brooks, and sisters-in-law Cindi Tepolt and Judy Schultz.

We would like to thank the staff of Ascension At Home, especially Kris, Tracy and Ann for the kind treatment and help they provided.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial funds has been established for the Scleroderma Foundation.