Karen H. Hammen, 57, of West Bend, passed away Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011 at Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation Center in Fond du Lac, where she resided for the past 18 months. 

She was born on June 16, 1954 in Port Washington, the beloved daughter of the late Edwin and Emily (nee Risse) Hammen. She attended St. John’s Lutheran School in West Bend and graduated from West Bend West High School in 1972. Karen worked as an assistant administrative secretary at the West Bend Company and the Washington County Courthouse. 

Karen had a terrific memory for family history and dates, especially birthdays and anniversaries. She loved sending and receiving cards. Karen focused years of her life on her nieces and nephews taking endless pictures of them, sharing her favorite music and baking treats. Her kind heart and sense of humor will be deeply missed. 

She is survived by her much-loved brothers, David (Lynn) Hammen, Mark (Sue) Hammen, and James (Pearl) Hammen; her dear aunts, Caroline Risse and Elaine Werner; treasured nieces and nephews, Kevin (Jill) Hammen, Kari (Casey) Kane, Matt (friend Stacey) Hammen, Megan (Kevin) Kusnick, Melissa Hammen, Andy Hammen, and Aaron (Emily) Hammen; greatnieces and nephews, Mallory Kane, Abigail Kane, Ember Hammen, and Caelum Hammen; many cousins, other relatives and friends. 

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles. 

Funeral services in remembrance of Karen will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Myrhum–Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington St., West Bend. The Rev. Gerald Presuhn of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will officiate and entombment will be on Thursday at 10 a.m. in Washington County Memorial Park, West Bend. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. until the time of service. 

Karen’s family would like to sincerely thank her caregivers at Harbor Haven, especially from the Island Harbor Unit. Their compassion and patience brought her an extended family and added quality of life that she so deserved.
 
Memorials in Karen’s name will be shared with St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Bend and NAMI of Washington County. 

Online guest book and condolences may be found at
www.myrhum-patten.com.