Debra J. Karlen

Debra Jean Karlen, 64, of Greenville, Wisconsin, a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, died on Monday, August 4, 2025.

Debbie was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, on September 16, 1960, to Ronald and Mary Kroll Eggebrecht. She graduated from D.C. Everest High School in Schofield in 1979 and earned a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1984.

On June 26, 1982, Debbie married the love of her life, Charles Joseph Karlen. In 1991, they moved to Greenville, Wisconsin, where they raised three sons. The center and the joy of Debbie's life were her Catholic faith and her family. She loved God, family, and friends fiercely and passionately.

Debbie was proud to be a loving and devoted stay-at-home mom. She loved the sounds of her children-and then grandchildren-laughing, playing ball games in the backyard, and splashing in the pool. She rarely missed a ball game, concert, or presentation.

Debbie had a unique ability to talk to anyone and make that person that person feel within minutes that they had been friends for years.

In her free time, she enjoyed scrapbooking, bicycling (she completed a 50-mile bike ride with her son Cameron in 2023), painting, reading, traveling, hosting epic New Year's parties, and spending lazy summer days in her pool. She also loved deep conversations and visits to the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion.

Debbie miraculously survived a major stroke on Easter Sunday of 2024. While she experienced tremendous physical suffering toward the end of her life, her family is filled with gratitude for 16 months of "stolen" time which allowed her to meet another grandbaby, attend a Packer game with grandchildren, and celebrate her retirement. Battling intense and chronic pain helped Debbie develop a deep relationship with Jesus as she learned to unite her suffering with Our Lord's suffering.

Debbie is survived by her devoted husband Chuck; her son Steven, his wife, Laura, and grandchildren, Peter, John Paul, Teresa, Katherine, and Benedict; her son Bradley; and her son Cameron, his wife Sarah, and grandchildren Henry, William, Lucia, Anna, and Augustine; her mother Mary Lou (Terry) Adams; and sisters Rhonda (Duey) Boettcher, Renee (Wayne) Cottrell. She is further survived by brothers-in-law Bob (Gretchen) Karlen, John Karlen, Larry Bembenek; sisters-in-law Kathy Wilde, Barb (Steve) Reichl, Jean (Bob) Klos, Donna (Jeff) Stary; 22 nieces and nephews, as well as other family and many friends.

Debbie was preceded in death by her first baby, who was miscarried; her beloved father Ronald; brother-in-law Fred Wilde; and sisters-in-law Jennifer Karlen and Char Bembenek.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Debra will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville, Wisconsin (N2385 Municipal Drive Greenville, WI 54942). The visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to VIDA Clinic.