Karen “Cookie” Wszola

August 22, 1944 - January 31, 2026

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Wisconsin Memorial Park, Chapel of the Chimes

13235 West Capitol Drive

Brookfield, WI 53005

Friday 2/13, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Krause Funeral Home New Berlin

12401 West National Avenue

New Berlin, WI 53151

Thursday 2/12, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Wisconsin Memorial Park, Chapel of the Chimes

13235 West Capitol Drive

Brookfield, WI 53005

Friday 2/13, 11:00 am

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, 830 N. 19th St., Milwaukee, WI 53233 or Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, 302 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Wszola, Karen “Cookie” – Age 81, passed peacefully on January 31, 2026 at Milwaukee Catholic Home.

Karen is survived by daughter Wendy Pero (Ethan Munson), grandson William Pero (Raynie), sister Sallie Andrus, niece Tami Busateri (Robert), nephew Dave Gardner and many great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her partner of 25 years Clarence Braun, parents Gladys Timmons and Bert Kuklinski, sister Jackie “Tootsie” Kapsos and niece Cindee Kapsos. Also preceded in death by husbands Ed Wszola, Eugene Pero and Ronnie Bagnall.

Karen was a graduate of South Division High School and Milwaukee Area Technical College. She was a volunteer for the precursor of ARCW in the 1980’s and a mentor for teenage mothers in the 1990’s. She cared deeply for the least advantaged in Milwaukee, supporting through monetary donations when she could, or time and in-kind donations when she couldn’t afford anything else.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin. An additional Visitation will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Wisconsin Memorial Park, Chapel of the Chimes, 13235 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin, with a Service to begin at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, 830 N. 19th St., Milwaukee, WI 53233 or Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, 302 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Krause Funeral Home & Cremation Services

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Wisconsin Memorial Park, Chapel of the Chimes

13235 West Capitol Drive

Brookfield, WI 53005

Map

Friday 2/13, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Krause Funeral Home New Berlin

12401 West National Avenue

New Berlin, WI 53151

Map

Thursday 2/12, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Wisconsin Memorial Park, Chapel of the Chimes

13235 West Capitol Drive

Brookfield, WI 53005

Map

Friday 2/13, 11:00 am

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, 830 N. 19th St., Milwaukee, WI 53233 or Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, 302 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Wszola, Karen “Cookie” – Age 81, passed peacefully on January 31, 2026 at Milwaukee Catholic Home. Karen is survived by daughter Wendy Pero (Ethan Munson), grandson William Pero (Raynie), sister Sallie Andrus, niece Tami Busateri (Robert), nephew Dave Gardner and many great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her partner of 25 yearsContinue Reading

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Wendy, my sincere condolences. Your mom sounds like an incredible woman. It’s never easy for the last goodbye. You have a wonderful safety net of friends here for you. Just breathe.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.