Karen M. Petersen

Karen Marie (Thurman) Petersen, age 85, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Chippewa Falls, WI, surrounded by her loving family.

Karen was born on February 7, 1940, to Margit and Magnus Mathison at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Their family lived in Milwaukee until moving briefly to Cashton, WI. Upon her family returning to Milwaukee, Karen graduated from Washington High School and then attended UW-Madison to become an RN, a career well suited to her very compassionate and generous nature.

While attending UW-Madison, she met and later married John “Dave” David Thurman. Karen and John moved to Chippewa Falls where they settled and began their married life. They soon became the loving parents to their three children, Gregg, Brad, and Alissa.

Karen loved and excelled in her nursing career, eventually becoming the Director of Nursing at the Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls. After retiring, she remained passionate about taking care of others and volunteered her time at the free clinic and Rutledge Mansion.

After many loving and happy years together, Karen suffered a great loss upon the passing of John in 2006. She later met and then married Chlorn Petersen, with whom she also shared many happy years. She enjoyed traveling extensively with both of her husbands, taking trips throughout the U.S. and Europe, including visiting relatives in Norway.

Karen was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and was also a proud member of the League of University Women, the League of Women Voters, and the BF Chapter of the P.E.O. She also enjoyed reading and discussing the various book selections with the members of her book club.

Karen was preceded in death by her first husband, John; parents, Margit and Magnus Mathison; brother, Johan Mathison; and sister-in-law, Betty Mathison.

She is survived by her husband, Chlorn Petersen; brothers, Dennis (Elaine) Mathison, and Harvey Mathison; sons, Gregg (Jennifer) Thurman and Brad Thurman; daughter, Alissa (Wayne Alsworth) Thurman; grandchildren, Kirsten, Connor, and Logan Thurman; stepsons, Mark and Merlin Petersen; great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In keeping with her kind, loving nature, and passion for helping others, Karen was an organ donor and gave the gift of life through her donation.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 1300 Mansfield St, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Curtis Rohland will be officiating. The interment will be at a later date in Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin, WI. Following the service, please join the family in the church fellowship hall for a meal and a time of reflection and celebration.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Chippewa Humane Association, 10501 County Hwy S, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 or to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.