Karen J. Vetta

Karen J. Vetta (nee Anderson) of Pewaukee died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 after a 16-year courageous battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 79. She was born on Sept 8, 1939 in Milwaukee to the late Walter & Hazel (Roy) Anderson. Karen grew up in Marinette, WI and graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes High School. She moved to Waukesha in 1958 and was married to Anthony Vetta in 1959, they were divorced in 1991. Karen worked for St. Mary’s Parish in Waukesha for 8 years, Tekra Corp in New Berlin for 17 years and retired from Growth Design Corp in 2003. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Parish in Waukesha where she was a member of the Catholic Study Club and the Christian Mothers Association. She was also active in the Vagabond Ski and Social Club of Milwaukee. Karen faced her long battle with cancer with grace, strength and courage and she will always be remembered for her smile, beauty, kindness and gentle spirit.

Karen is survived by her three loving children, Kathryn (Tom) Karagianis of New Berlin, Kelly (Tim) Riemer of Waukesha and Cory (Dena) of Pueblo, Co., her cherished grandchildren whom she was so proud of, Joseph (Jessie) Beller, Jr., Jennifer Shallow, Amanda (Zachary) DesJardins & Isabella Vetta and precious great-grandchild Adriana Beller. She is further survived by her brothers and sisters, Lee (Kay) Anderson of Las Vegas, Kent (Marguerite) Anderson of Brea, Ca., Helen (Chuck) Shields of Georgetown, TX, Patricia (Patrick) Seip of Houston, Tx, Nancy Surk of Marinette, Margaret (Dale) Race of Green Bay, Kathy (Eddie) Roeder of Marinette and John Holz of Menomonee Falls along with many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, step-father William Holz, sister Cynthia and nephew Oscar “Oscie” Nelson.

Karen was blessed with many wonderful friends who supported her throughout her illness. She will be missed by all those whose life she touched.

Visitation will be on Sunday, September 30th from 3:00PM until 6:30PM at the Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Visitation continues on Monday, October 1st at St. Mary Catholic Church, 225 S. Hartwell Ave., Waukesha from 10:00AM until time of the 11:00AM funeral Mass. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Karen’s name are appreciated to the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance, 13825 W. National Ave., Suite 103, New Berlin, WI 53151.