Karen Rae (Radcliffe) Rocksvold
April 21, 1941–March 19, 2024
Karen Rae (Radcliffe) Rocksvold passed away peacefully at Crossing Rivers Hospital in Prairie du Chien Wisc., on Tuesday, March 19, surrounded by her family.
Karen was born April 21, 1941, in Black River Falls, Wisc., to John Quentin Radcliffe and Ione Adele Gunderson Radcliffe. Growing up in Strum, Wisc.
Karen was oldest of five children, and she took her duties as older sister very seriously. She graduated from Eleva-Strum Central High School in 1959.
She married Kersten P. “Rocky” Rocksvold on June 20, 1964, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. Karen attended The Swedish Hospital School and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Kersten and Karen moved to Prairie du Chien in 1968 where she worked as an LPN at General Hospital, until it closed in 1972.
A vehement advocate for healthcare, she touched countless lives of the patients, friends, and family with her care and foresight. Karen pursued and earned her Registered Nursing degree in 1980 and continued as an RN at the Prairie du Chien Convalescent Center for 17 years. She went on to become the Director of Nursing for five county home health care agencies. Upon her retirement in 1998, Karen began to enjoy her role as “Nana” Karen, where she continued her care and endearment of her grandchildren.
Karen loved to keep herself busy with many hobbies and crafts, including crocheting items for her family. She loved planting her spring flowers, cultivating her summer gardens, and decorating for the holidays. But her sincere passion was cooking and baking cookies, donuts, and various goodies for her family, often mailing them off as treats for her children and grandchildren. It was always a surprise for the kids to receive a box full of “Grandma Karen’s homemade donuts.”
Karen was a 56 year member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where she loved to cook and bake for the “Come to Supper” gatherings. She also participate in the Tone Choir.
Karen leaves behind a legacy of love and guidance. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Kersten “Rocky” Rocksvold, her children Andrea DuCharme (Greg Webster) of Prairie du Chien Wisc.; Tony Rocksvold (Erika Schmidt) of Eau Claire Wisc.; and Adam (Erica) Rocksvold, of Eau Claire Wisc. She is survived by six grandchildren, Zach Du Charme (Beth), Adrianna Rocksvold (Dylon Peterson), Avery Rocksvold, Alexander Rocksvold, Abraham Rocksvold and Andrew Rocksvold as well as one great-grandson, Crue Peterson.
She is survived by her siblings Kathie Radcliffe of Chanhassen, Minn.; Dr. Jack Radcliffe (Dianne) of Viroqua, Wisc.; and Lisa (Tom) Lorenz of Eleva, Wisc.
She is preceded in death by her parents John Q. and Ione Radcliffe, her sister Sue Ann Miland, and her son-in-law Neil T. DuCharme.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 5 at 11 am at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 201 South Michigan Street, Prairie du Chien. A visitation, beginning with prayer service, will be held from 4–7 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 at Garrity Funeral Home at 704 South Ohio Street, in Prairie du Chien. A private burial will take place at a later date. www.garrityfuneralhome.com.
