Karen Marie Radtke

Karen M. Radtke, 73, of Watertown, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Karen was born on March 3, 1951, in Madison, the daughter of Leonard and Gladys (Hagen) Kottwitz. She attended St. Mark’s Grade School and later Lakeside Lutheran High School. In 1991, Karen met Thomas Radtke and the couple enjoyed many years together and were united in marriage on June 21, 2008. Karen worked as a legal secretary, Executive assistant for many years. She also loved working with children as a childcare aid, and was also a kitchen sub for the Watertown school district. Karen was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, CCW Group, and the Jefferson County Legal Secretaries Association when it was still going. She was a very passionate and active advocate for WOCA (Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance). In her free time, she enjoyed traveling, especially up to Door County. She loved being outdoors, spending time at Riverside Park, hiking, bicycling, and boating- she was Tom’s best first mate. Above all she enjoyed spending time with her family, grand dogs, and friends. She will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to have known her.

Karen is survived by: her husband Tom; daughters Angela Hill and Hillary (Stacey) Williams; grandchildren Kirsten Kruesel, Brittany (Zach) Graf, Emmet Williams, siblings Barb (George) Bahn, Kimberly (John Walters) Kottwitz, Mike Kottwitz; brother-in-law Mark Jeffers and sister-in-law Sarah Kottwitz. Karen is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Karen is preceded in death by: her father Leonard and stepmother Judith Kottwitz; her mother Gladys and stepfather Walter Van Lare; brother Wayne in infancy; siblings Herb, Jenny and Joyce; son-in-law Jim; and brother-in-law Dennis.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home of Watertown. Visitation will be held from 12:00pm until the time of service at the funeral home. The service will be live life streamed at: Facebook.