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Karen Brenes Obituary
Karen Lynn Brenes, age 60, of Alachua, Florida, died Thursday February 26, 2009 at Shands Hospital after losing her courageous battle with cancer.
Karen is the youngest daughter of the late Edmund and Shirley Ludwicki. The Brenes family originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin moved to Coral Springs, Florida in 1973 and retired to their 5 acre "Angel Ranch" in Alachua in 1997, after selling their business known as Diversified Oil in Port Everglades, FL.
Karen served as a volunteer secretary and treasurer for San Felasco Hammock State Preserve CSO, for 5 years. Her husband Mickey, served as Vice President of the Alachua Highlands Homeowners Association for 6 years.
As animal rights activists, Karen and Mickey have rescued and protected dozens of wild and domestic animals and given sanctuary to many birds.
Karen is survived by her beloved husband of 45 years Mickey of Alachua and their son Dr. Ryan B Brenes and daughter-in-law Dr. April Dawn Brenes, and 4 week old granddaughter, Abigail Grace Brenes, of Jacksonville, FL. Karen has two sisters residing in Wisconsin, Patricia Waisman and Irene Baker; 10 nieces and nephews and 12 great nieces and nephews, Also sisters-in-law Lynne Brenes of Boca Raton, FL. and Phyllis Dorf, of Fox Point, Wisconsin.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at Milam Funeral Home Chapel 22405 W. Newberry Road, Newberry, FL. Thursday March 5, 2009 at 1:30 PM. The Funeral Home is Across from Canterbury Equestrian Showplace.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Memory of Karen Brenes to "The Eye of the Eagle Wildlife Foundation", C/O Dr. Dawn Miller, DVM, 15114 N.W. 32nd Avenue, Newberry, FL. 32669.
Arrangements are under the care of MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES 22405 W. Newberry Road Newberry, FL. 32669 ( 352 ) 472-5361.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Brenes
Debbie Johnson
March 5, 2009
Here I sit wishing I could be at Karen's memorial service going on right now. I would have driven the 1200 miles to be there if I didn't have to take care of my mom. Karen was worth it!!! Sometimes you don't realize how much you will miss someone until they are gone!! I didn't realize just how big of a role model she was for me. I have respected and admired her for many years! She accomplished so much in her life! She had a heart of gold! She had determination like I have never known. Sometimes I could only say "wow'! All the animals will miss their special friend and her gentle soul. There is a song called "Live Like You Were Dying". Maybe this is what we could all learn from this. Karen really LIVED!!! I am so sad for all of us who knew and loved Karen. I am so sad for Mickey. Maybe we could all be a little more like Karen.
Stephen and Nichole Frey
March 3, 2009
Mickey, Ryan, April, and Abby,
We send our condolences to the Brenes family. Your family is in our thoughts.
Your Friends,
Stephen and Nichole Frey
Kristene Lundblad
March 3, 2009
Karen was one of the sweetest and most caring people I have ever met. She had the biggest heart and made everyone feel so special and loved. In the 5 years I worked with Karen at Diversified Oil I learned so much from her. She treated me like family and looked out for me. She was a truly remarkable woman who I will never forget. My heart goes out to Mickey & Ryan during this sad time. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen & Michelle at Ryan & April's wedding
Michelle Kolacinski
March 3, 2009
It's not easy to express through words the amount of love I, and so many others, had for Karen. She was my aunt and my friend and a great source of wisdom and advice for me in my life. She always knew how to show she cared without even having to say those words. Karen was not only beautiful on the outside, but she had an inner peace that everyone in her presence felt. Her love for animals is something I will always remember and her and Mickey's willingness to bring animals onto their ranch and care for them is something I truly admire. Even though Karen is gone, I don't feel she lost her battle with cancer. She never gave up, she was always so brave and courageous and I can only hope to be half as strong as Karen was as I live my life. I will miss my auntie Karen so much but I will never forget her and I will always love her.
Bruce Bersch
March 3, 2009
Dear Mickey,
My deepest sympathy goes to you and your family.I will truly miss talking to Karen as she always brightened up my day.Shes in Heaven with my parents.May God be with you every moment. Love Bruce
Keli Davis
March 2, 2009
Dear Mickey, I'm so sorry I never had the opportunity to meet your wife. I've read the other entries and she was obviously well loved and will be missed. I know how much you loved her, just by your smile when you talked about her. Thank you for restoring my prayer vigil. I'd forgotten about it for some time, until the day that I told you I would pray for her. I'm sorry that God had other plans for your angel. I continue to pray for you and your family now. God Bless!
Patricia Waisman
March 2, 2009
My life will never be the same. A part of me died when my beautiful, baby sister passed away. I cannot begin to express the sorrow and emptiness I am feeling. Karen was the most kind-hearted, caring and loving person I've ever known. Not only did I lose my sister I also lost my BEST friend. It was an honor and a privilege to have had her in my life for 60 years. She left an everlasting impression on everyone she met with her insurmmountable courage and strength. A day will not go by that I won't be thinking of her. My heartfelt sympathies to Mickey, Ryan, April and Karen's gorgeous, precious, granddaughter Abigail. She is Karen's little angel. The world was a better place because Karen was in it. I will love her always and miss her forever. My gratitude and appreciation goes out to Mickey who was always at her side and there for her every step of the way. WE LOVE YOU KAREN. Pat and Stan
mike murabito
March 2, 2009
mickey i am sorry for your Karen dying but she's in a better place and i loved her just as much as a lot of people in the community i'm sorry it had to be her but i guess it was her time
love ur buddy mike
Dorothy Buckley
March 1, 2009
Mickey I am so sorry to hear about Karen ,my heart goes out to your family and MY grandaughter April and Ryan&Abigail.The little time I met her she impressed me so lovely and dear,I hoped to have known her better .
Francis and Kelly Roberts
March 1, 2009
Dear Mickey
You are in our thoughts and prayers always and forever. We will cherish all the memories we've had with each other. We love you and Karen very much and we will miss Karen very deeply. With our deepest sympathy and God Bless you.
Phyllis and William Ehrenreich
March 1, 2009
Mickey, Ryan, April, and Abigail. Our heart and prayers go out to you and your whole family. May God bless and keep you in your time of need. Love the Ehrenreichs
Sherry Piechowski
March 1, 2009
My name is Sherry Piechowski, and Karen has been my best friend for the past 47 years. Without Karen, I have a big hole in my life. I loved her and when we were together, we were always laughing. She has taught me to "take one day at a time" and to always count my many blessings. Even her cancer could not destroy her fabulous outlook on life. She fought so hard to live. I hope some day we can be reunited with Karen in Heaven as that certainly is where Karen is now. Our sympathy goes out to Mickey who took such fabulous care of Karen till her battle ended. Our deepest sympathy, with Love, Sherry, Bob and Amy Piechowski
bonnie hines
March 1, 2009
sorry for your loss mickey
boniie hines {foodlion deli }
Gloria Hill
March 1, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
marcy pierce
March 1, 2009
mickey are heart goes out to you and the family, karen was a true angel and will be missed ,may god be with all of you we love you and will be here for you ,marcy and the food lion staff ,god bless karen will remain in are hearts forever
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