Karen Louise Parks, age 86, of Reedsburg, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at St. Mary‘s Hospital in Madison surrounded by her family.

She was born on January 6, 1939, in Milwaukee, WI, the daughter of Einar and Helen (Nerud) Johnson.  Karen attended Rufus King High School in Milwaukee. She always knew she wanted to be a nurse and later received her LPN certificate from MATC. She furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  She was employed as a registered nurse at the Reedsburg Hospital for 29 years.

Karen had a love for travel. She went on seven cruises and traveled the world with family and nursing group friends.  Her greatest memory was riding around the pyramids in Egypt on camelback. When not surrounded by family or friends Karen enjoyed reading, Animal Planet, the Rodeo Channel and daily game shows.  Karen had a green thumb with a houseful of thriving plants and an impressive collection of salt and pepper shakers. She was a member of the Reedsburg United Methodist Church, the Reedsburg VFW Auxiliary, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Robert; friend and long-time partner Raymond Thering; and Marlow Parks, father of their children.

Karen is survived by her children, Randy (Diane) Parks of Stoughton, Jeffrey (Angela) Parks of Howards Grove, Sherry Parks (Hoff) of Richmond, IL and John (Elizabeth) Parks of Ripon; grandchildren:  Jason Parks, Mallori Parks, Kevin Hoff, Brian Hoff, Kelly Hoff-Muhr, Michael Parks, Robert Parks, Amanda Lisk (Parks); great-grandchildren:  Eva Parks, Lukas Hoff, Rosalie Hoff, Lillian Muhr, Penelope Muhr, Henri Hoff, Noah Hoff, Owen Parks, Blake Parks, Isabella Holewinski, Lincoln Parks, Boson Parks; beloved cat, Molly; and her dear friend Mary Bridgeman; nieces, nephews along with other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Karen L. Parks will be conducted at 12:30 PM on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the Farber Funeral Home with Chaplain Daniel Farber officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Sauk County Humane Society or the Reedsburg VFW Auxiliary.