Karen M. Koentopp

Karen Mae (Andre) Koentopp, age 76, of Ripon, WI passed away peacefully on Monday, March 31, 2025 at her home.

Karen was born on April 3, 1948 at Plymouth Hospital, Plymouth, WI to Norman and Roma (Sperl) Andre. She graduated from Elkhart Lake High School in 1966. Karen worked at Cleve-Pak in Plymouth in her younger years, and was a member of Community United Church of Christ in Elkhart Lake, where she taught Sunday School. On October 5, 1968 she married Harvey Koentopp. After moving to Ripon, Karen and Harvey were devoted members of Messiah Lutheran Church. Karen was involved with GAA; sang in the chorus; was President of Title One in New Holstein; a member of the Optimist Club also in New Holstein; and was a Cub Scout Leader. In her free time her favorite things to do were attending boys baseball and basketball games, playing cards, latch hooking, and working with plastic square needlepoint. Most of all she cherished time spent with her family, especially her grand and great-grandchildren.

Karen is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Harvey Koentopp; three sons, Christopher (Denise) Koentopp of Ripon, Greg (DaLinda) Koentopp of Greendale, WI, and Jamie (Janie) Koentopp of Mauston, WI; a sister, Nancy Hofschild of New Holstein, WI; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; eight sisters-in-law; several nieces and nephews; and many other friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Roma Andre; father and mother-in-law, Norman and Virginia Koentopp as well as Victor and Lillian Erdmann; two brothers-in-law, Carl Koentopp and Bruce Hofschild; sister-in-law, Elaine DeSmidt; and many aunts; uncles; and cousins.

Visitation for Karen will be held from 9:00 am until 11:30 am on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971.

Funeral service for Karen will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Bryan Fritsch officiating. You may view a livestream of Karen’s funeral at 11:30 by visiting www.facebook.com/MessiahRipon. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Park in Oshkosh, WI. A memorial is being established in her name.

Karen’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Heartland Hospice, as well as her amazing granddaughter, Ona for their loving care and support.