Karen Deranick

On Monday, February 17, 2025, the earth lost one of its brightest lights, Karen Sue Deranick, age 81, surrounded by the love of her family at Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids Hospital.

Karen was born on January 9, 1944, at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, IL, she was the cherished daughter of the late Edward and Arline Schroeder.

From an early age, Karen was a guiding light in her family, showing her siblings the way with love, wisdom, and the kind of patience that would stay with them throughout their lives. Her strength and nurturing spirit never wavered especially in 1962 when she married her beloved husband, Marvin Deranick, and became the proud mother of twin boys, Mitchell and Michael.

When Marvin passed away in 1982, Karen’s heart remained open, and she found love again with her soulmate and life partner, James “Timber Jim” Hollar. Together, they spent the next 40 years creating beautiful memories.

Upon retirement, Karen became a self-proclaimed “seasoned traveler,” always seeking new places to explore and new experiences to share. She always made sure her granddaughters experienced life with her, whether visiting Devils Tower in Wyoming, buying chocolates in the shops on Mackinac Island, seeing the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, or taking weekend trips to Illinois to visit Aunt Jan. She filled her life with experiences and adventure.

Her love for her granddaughters was boundless, and she made sure to share her knowledge and wisdom with them, teaching them the values of life—whether it was learning to memorize their driver's license number, doing taxes, or demonstrating the power of a mother’s love that transcends generations. She cherished the time spent with her great-grandchildren, and was always ready to play countless games of Uno with Gavin and Kylee or play dolls with Paityn
Karen’s journey was made even more beautiful by the encouragement of her dear friend, Andy, who reminded her to live life to the fullest after Jim passed. Together, they shared love for entertainment, enjoying dinners and celebrating their shared passion for Elvis Presley and various cover bands.

Her memory continues to live on with her son and daughter in law, Mitchell (Meg) Deranick; granddaughters Catherine (Christopher) Kildahl, and Krysta (Dustin) Brusky; five great grandchildren, Gavin, Conner, Jazmyn, Kylee, and Paityn.

She is further survived by her siblings Patricia Preller, Bobby (Debbie) Preller, Cricket Fosnaugh, and Gene (Sheila) Fosnaugh; cousin Debbie Hawk; sister-in-law Jan (Chris) Schroeder; Extended family Jerrell (Heather) Hollar, the Hollar family, her special friend Andy, and countless friends and family.

Karen is reunited with her son, Michael Deranick; her life partner James Hollar; husband Marvin Deranick, parents Edward and Arline Schroeder; brothers Chris (Jan) Schroeder, Jerry Preller, and David Schroeder.

Services will be at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Family and friends are invited to visit and share memories from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. The family will hold a celebration of life and private interment at a later date.