Karen Laird's Memorial Service Video Karen E. Laird, age 81. Karen fought many different cancers and suffered other illnesses, until she heard the call to come home on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.  She was born at the New London Hospital on April 7, 1941, daughter of the late Alois and Lois (Griswold) Huettl.  Karen grew up in Dale and attended Cloverleaf School, a one-room school down the road from the family home farm.  She attended Hortonville High School, graduating with the class of 1959.  That same year she began her life with Ray Laird, after a date at Buchman's Pond.  On June 1, 1963, she and Ray were married.

Karen worked in the banking business her entire life.  She was employed by Appleton State Bank, Valley Bank, and M&I Banks. Karen was also a dedicated employee of Heritage Animal Hospital in Hortonville.  Aside from her work life, she was dedicated to her other, more important job, as a wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker.  She was an inspiration and was always counted upon for her words of wisdom.  She was a gifted "life coach".  She was able to make anyone feel valued and a part of her family.  To Karen, everyone belonged.

Karen was able to communicate her love and affection through her hobbies.  She knitted many gifts for her family.  She always demanded perfection from herself - often pulling apart a scarf or mitten to fix a tiny imperfection.  Ray refers to these as "Holy Projects"!  Carrying on family traditions was important to her.  She passed on her baking knowledge to her granddaughters.  She passed down volumes of hand-written recipes that are as old as her grandmother.  Being a social person, Karen enjoyed being a Red-Hatter and meeting with the "Hortonville '59ers".  Karen loved playing "Hand-and-Foot"- insisting everyone in the family learn to play.  Spending time at the "Camper on the Wolf" was a favorite pastime.  She loved walleye fishing and meal making.  Traditional pontoon rides were the best memory-makers.

Growing up on a farm, and sometimes being isolated, 4-H became an important part of her young life.  She made life-long friends and learned life skills she was able to teach her family.  So, in lieu of flowers, Karen's wishes were for contributions to be made to 4-H.

Karen is survived by her husband Raymond, son David (Angie) Laird, daughter Trisha (Andy) Montalbano; grandchildren, Madalyn, Liz, Miles, Dawson, and Delaney; brother Glen (Dorelle) Huettl; sister-in-law Carol Laird; niece Rhonda (Jamie) Deleeuw and their children Myla and Aubrey; nephew Andy (Emily) Huettl and their daughter Greta; special friends Carol Breaker, Mike & Kay Debraal, Tony & Grace Lauer and Bob Buchman; and her dog, "Ivy".  She is further survived by many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law Dan Laird; special friends Ken Breaker and Judy Buchman.

A Memorial service will be at Zion United Church of Christ, Dale on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jennifer Czarnota officiating.  Visitation will be held at the Borchardt & Moder Funeral Home, Hortonville, on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. and also at the church on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.