Karen V. Cronce

Karen Velda Cronce, 75, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 1st, 2024, at American Grand in Neenah. She was born on August 17th, 1948, in Shawano, WI, the daughter of the late Rubin and Velda Zingler. The family owned a farm until they eventually moved to Neenah, WI.
Karen graduated from Neenah High School in 1966. She married James (Jim) Grimes in October 1967. Karen and Jim had two children, Rhonda and Jim, who they raised in Neenah. During this time, Karen enjoyed sewing, gardening, and canning vegetables. The family also enjoyed boating on the Wolf River and Lake Poygan during the summer. Karen's Christian faith was deeply important to her. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran in Menasha and then Trinity Lutheran in Redgranite. She attended church service almost every Sunday.
One of Karen's prized possessions was her 1987 Corvette. She used to take the Corvette to a car show in Princeton, WI, and she also enjoyed going to the flea market there. Karen's hobby was shopping, which she immensely enjoyed!
Later in her life, Karen married Jack Cronce on June 14th, 2008. She lived with him in Redgranite, WI. Karen was a cost accountant for American Can for 47 years until her retirement in 2013. She enjoyed spending time up north in Eagle River and attending Cranberry Fest. Karen loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She loved hosting holidays at her house and cooking for her entire family. Karen always insisted on making most holiday meals herself and took pride in feeding her family.
Karen was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in recent years. As her memory was disappearing, she still was able to cherish all of the important people in her life until the very end. Our family extends a special thank you to American Grand and especially Compassus Hospice for taking care of Karen.
Survivors include her children, Rhonda Keyes and Jim (Denise) Grimes; four grandchildren, Hayley Schueler, Kian Grimes, Reilly (Joey) Messer, and Caitlyn Keyes; a great-granddaughter, Violet Hueller; a brother, Wayne Zingler; her ex-husband, James Grimes; many nieces and nephews; and step-children and step-grandchildren.
Karen was preceded in death by son-in-law, Paul Keyes, and two brothers, Rubin Zingler and John Zingler.
The funeral service will be held at 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 8th, 2024, at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM until the hour of service. The internment will be in Graceland Cemetery in Clintonville. A memorial is being established in lieu of flowers.