Karen T. Dempsey

Karen  T.  Dempsey, age 86 of Turtle Lake, WI,  passed away on Sunday night, March 19, 2023 at the Amery Hospital in Amery, WI.   

Karen Tuula Dempsey was born on January 27, 1937, in Pori, Finland  the daughter of  Kaarlo & Kaarin (Raita) Ketola.  When she was 13 years old, Karen came to America by herself and lived with an aunt and uncle in Minneapolis, MN.  On September 21, 1957, she was married to Robert Dempsey in Golden Valley, MN and together raised three daughters, Wendy, Cindy, & Lory.  In 1976 Karen and Bob moved their family to Turtle Lake, WI where they owned and operated the tavern Horseshoe Kove on Horseshoe Lake.  Karen worked at Citizens State Bank in Clayton,  serving there for over 30 years as secretary to the president and loan processor.    She was very proud of her Finnish heritage and shared with her family many aspects of her childhood, from growing up there during WWII, the saunas, baking, the unique candy and glassware and learning the Finnish language.  In her spare time, Karen enjoyed gardening, reading, painting, taking walks,  riding the lawn mower and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She also enjoyed traveling and took trips with Bob back to Finland and Norway and warmer locations during the winter months.  She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

She is proceeded in death by her husband, Robert Dempsey;  daughter, Lory Glinski; son-in-law, Randy Koenig;

parents, Kaarlo &  Karrin Ketola;  brothers & sister, Arvo, Maili, & Teppo Ketola

Survived By

Daughters

Wendy Koenig  -  Clear Lake, WI
Cindy (Jim) Soderberg  -  Clear Lake, WI

Son In Law

Leon Glinski  -  Turtle Lake, WI

Grandchildren

Jaclyn (Scott) Visger, Robert ( Mindy) Warland, Mercedes, Peter & Paula Koenig,  Dane (September) Soderberg, 

Kacey (Brent) Paulson, Melissa (Matt) Lemmer, Tammy (Stewart) Bertelsen & Rachel (Brent) King

Great-Grandchildren

Avery, Halle, Easton, David, Caleb, Evelyn, Ajahnei, Lucian, Everlee, Meelah, Colton, Deklan, Rowan, Ethan, Brady, Taylor, Mason, Zachary, Reyna, Crosby & Miles

Sister-In-Law  -  Virginia Ketola

Loving Friends & Family

Memorial Service  -  1 pm on Tuesday, March 28,  2023 at  Scheuermann Funeral Home  in Clear Lake, WI

with a visitation one hour before the service.

Officiant  -  Robert Warland

Interment at a later date -  Mt. Hope Cemetery,  Turtle Lake, WI

Scheuermann Funeral Home and Cremation Services are handling the arrangements.

www.clearlakefuneralhome.com

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