Karen Gordon, age 63, passed away surrounded by her family on April 16, 2014, after a brief illness at the Appleton Medical Center. She was born on May 12, 1950, in Appleton, the daughter of the late Allan and Annette (Maher) Sonkowsky. Karen graduated from Appleton East High School in 1968 and went on to…
Continue ReadingKaren Gordon, age 63, passed away surrounded by her family on April 16, 2014, after a brief illness at the Appleton Medical Center. She was born on May 12, 1950, in Appleton, the daughter of the late Allan and Annette (Maher) Sonkowsky. Karen graduated from Appleton East High School in 1968 and went on to earn an LPN degree from the Fox Valley Technical Institute. On January 3, 1969, Karen married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Guy Gordon. Guy passed away in 2012.
Karen enjoyed many things throughout her life; she loved to bake and share her famous cookies and pies, crocheting as well as knitting, gardening, and working with children in the church nursery. She loved her careers as both a nurse and a truck driver and she also enjoyed traveling. She was a foster parent for ten children over nine years. Above all, her passion was her Lord and her family. She cherished the time spent with her children and grandchildren.
Karen will be deeply missed by her children: Eden, Shane (Christi), Kim (Tyler) Dorn, and daughter-of-the-heart Tonya (Charlie) Benbo; her grandkids: Toni, Derek, Katrina, Sean, and Katelyn; grandkids-of-the-heart: Cori, Michelle, Tanner, Ericka, Rachel, Colleen, Payton, and Nolan. She will also be missed by her siblings: Susan Rothlisberg, Steve (Barb) Sonkowsky, and Gene (Debbie) Sonkowsky; her mother-in-law Lois and step father-in-law Bob; brother-in-laws: Dave (Kathy) and Troy (Shawn), and sister-in-laws: Pam (Brian Marsceau), Trudy (John) Trader, Traci (Jim) Seidling, and Deb (Greg) Norman; along with everyone else on the planet that knew and loved her. There were no strangers, just friends she hasn't met yet!
She was greeted in heaven by her best friend and lifelong companion, Guy Gordon, her parents, Allan and Annette, Uncle Ski, and many others that happily welcomed her home.
The memorial service for Karen will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2014, at Pathways Church, 311 West Evergreen Drive. Friends and family may visit at the CHURCH from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. DRESS HAPPY. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com
Thank you to the wonderful staff at the Appleton Medical Center ICU especially Roger, Ardis, Sandra, and Dena.
LUMU, hugs all around!
Pastor & Mrs. Mark Weiss
left a message on April 22, 2014:
We are Very Sad to hear about Karen. We know she is Heaven with Guy.
She so loved him & all of her family!
I remember Karen with all the cubbies in Awana. She loved all the kids in Church!
Our hearts & prayers are with the Family.
Our deepest Sympathy.
Love You!!!!
John Maher
left a message on April 21, 2014:
Our hearts go out to the Sonkowsky and Gorden famileys for the loss of Karen, she will always be in our hearts.
Love Uncle jack and Aunt Shirley
Tom Maher
left a message on April 21, 2014:
We are sorry for your big loss: mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and niece to us. The gathering place has held you all together. First Alan and Annette then Guy and Karen. Stay together and encourage each other. We are so sorry we couldn't be there.
Love Uncle Tom and Aunt Carol
Gene Sonkowsky
left a message on April 19, 2014:
Karen was everybody's queen of hearts,she was my ace of hearts.As I look up the street I already miss a hug,a cup of coffee,,and a cookie,usually taking a few cookies home to share with Debbie.When I would bring her some spanish rice,she would return the bowl a couple days later,saying "You really need to make some spanish rice some day,it's been such a long time since you made any". She was a good friend to all,and I miss her dearly. Gene
Wanda Bhatt
left a message on April 18, 2014:
Karen was a best friend all through childhood and high school. We attended the same church and shared so many wonderful memories together especially at Spencer Lake Bible Camp. We have still kept in touch over the years and I will miss her (and Guy's) delightful Christmas letters of all their adventures. They lived full, wonderful lives and now are in the presence of their Lord and Savior. At that I rejoice because they knew Jesus and had committed their lives to Him. I know she will be greatly missed and my condolences to her family, especially Sue, Steve, Gene, Eden and Shane. Still friends after all these years, Wanda
Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.
Cody and Allison Van Thull
left a message on April 18, 2014:
With our deepest sympathy.
Wishing her family peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in their hearts.
John & Bill Reuter
left a message on April 18, 2014:
Eden, our deepest sympathy to a good friend and your family
Jessica Roberts
left a message on April 18, 2014:
I Was sad to hear about Guy at Adrian Cruz's funeral and now sad to hear of Karen, a beautiful Lady. I would love to come to the funeral but we will be out of town. My prayers will be with the family. Let me know if yall need anything. Jessica (Meek) Roberts
theresa
left a message on April 18, 2014:
Eden,Susie,Shane my thoughts n Prayers are sent as your family is going through this hard time. May God comfort you n Surround you all with loved ones n many memories
Bev & Mike Plamann
left a message on April 18, 2014:
Dear Eden,
My heart aches for you. You and your family are definitely in my prayers. I am not sure I will be able to leave work for the service, my apologies in advance in case I don\'t make it. I love you. You are strong and you have the strength of the Lord on your side.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Pastor & Mrs. Mark Weiss
left a message on April 22, 2014:
We are Very Sad to hear about Karen. We know she is Heaven with Guy.
She so loved him & all of her family!
I remember Karen with all the cubbies in Awana. She loved all the kids in Church!
Our hearts & prayers are with the Family.
Our deepest Sympathy.
Love You!!!!
John Maher
left a message on April 21, 2014:
Our hearts go out to the Sonkowsky and Gorden famileys for the loss of Karen, she will always be in our hearts.
Love Uncle jack and Aunt Shirley
Tom Maher
left a message on April 21, 2014:
We are sorry for your big loss: mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and niece to us. The gathering place has held you all together. First Alan and Annette then Guy and Karen. Stay together and encourage each other. We are so sorry we couldn't be there.
Love Uncle Tom and Aunt Carol
Gene Sonkowsky
left a message on April 19, 2014:
Karen was everybody's queen of hearts,she was my ace of hearts.As I look up the street I already miss a hug,a cup of coffee,,and a cookie,usually taking a few cookies home to share with Debbie.When I would bring her some spanish rice,she would return the bowl a couple days later,saying "You really need to make some spanish rice some day,it's been such a long time since you made any". She was a good friend to all,and I miss her dearly. Gene
Wanda Bhatt
left a message on April 18, 2014:
Karen was a best friend all through childhood and high school. We attended the same church and shared so many wonderful memories together especially at Spencer Lake Bible Camp. We have still kept in touch over the years and I will miss her (and Guy's) delightful Christmas letters of all their adventures. They lived full, wonderful lives and now are in the presence of their Lord and Savior. At that I rejoice because they knew Jesus and had committed their lives to Him. I know she will be greatly missed and my condolences to her family, especially Sue, Steve, Gene, Eden and Shane. Still friends after all these years, Wanda
Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.
Cody and Allison Van Thull
left a message on April 18, 2014:
With our deepest sympathy.
Wishing her family peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in their hearts.
John & Bill Reuter
left a message on April 18, 2014:
Eden, our deepest sympathy to a good friend and your family
Jessica Roberts
left a message on April 18, 2014:
I Was sad to hear about Guy at Adrian Cruz's funeral and now sad to hear of Karen, a beautiful Lady. I would love to come to the funeral but we will be out of town. My prayers will be with the family. Let me know if yall need anything. Jessica (Meek) Roberts
theresa
left a message on April 18, 2014:
Eden,Susie,Shane my thoughts n Prayers are sent as your family is going through this hard time. May God comfort you n Surround you all with loved ones n many memories
Bev & Mike Plamann
left a message on April 18, 2014:
Dear Eden,
My heart aches for you. You and your family are definitely in my prayers. I am not sure I will be able to leave work for the service, my apologies in advance in case I don\'t make it. I love you. You are strong and you have the strength of the Lord on your side.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.