Karen Ellen Hartung

In Loving Memory of Karen Ellen Hartung (Komar)
September 29, 1958 to July 11, 2025
It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Karen Hartung, age 66, of New Berlin, Wisconsin after a 20-month battle with bile duct cancer. Karen, born on September 29, 1958 in West Allis, Wisconsin, peacefully passed away, in her home, surrounded by family, on Friday evening, July 11, 2025.
Karen is survived by her daughter, Carrie Kmichik (Hartung), her son-in-law, Darrin Kmichik, her granddaughters, Ella Kmichik and Autumn Kmichik, her son, Joseph (Joe) Hartung, her daughter-in-law, Sara Zamora, her canine companion, Sunny, and countless friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Joseph and Eleanor Komar, her uncle, Robert Komar (Uncle Bobby), her father, Frederick Komar, and her mother, Patricia Komar (Gilbertson), and her husband Daniel Hartung.
To know Karen was to love her. She loved deeply, laughed often, and left a lasting mark on every life she touched. To her, family wasn't just a word; family was her everything. Karen was a kind and loving woman whose warmth radiated wherever she went. She had a heart that welcomed everyone and she had an amazing gift for making people feel deeply loved and valued. Whether through a thoughtful word, a gentle hug, or simply her presence, she had a way of making each person feel like the most important one in the room. It's no surprise that she had dozens of best friends-each one sharing something uniquely special with her.
Life threw Karen many curveballs, especially early on, and she had to be brave and learn how to grow and adapt. In her own words, she was brave, "because you can either sink or swim, and I'm a swimmer." Karen was brave when she became a mom at age 16 and again at 20 and remained brave when she became a single mom of two at the age of 26. From the start she built a safe, comfortable, and stable home for her children, and bought her current house in 1986. She emphasized the importance of getting a good education and lived out these values by earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix, in 2005, at the age of 46. She worked hard to build a career in management at We Energies, before retiring in 2016 at the age of 57.
She had a love for exploring and experiencing the beauty and history of different parts of our world. Her travels took her across five continents, where she immersed herself in the cultures, landscapes, and ways of life. Whether wandering through the cities, sharing meals with locals, or touring to learn all she could, she embraced every moment of every adventure. She treasured the memories that came with every trip and created amazing memory books capturing all she experienced.
In addition to traveling to see the beauty of the world, Karen loved to create beauty around her. She had a true talent for turning houses into homes-spaces that were not only beautiful, but also comfortable, welcoming, and practical. Decorating was a passion, and she poured her heart into every detail, whether arranging furniture, picking just the right colors, or adding thoughtful touches (and throw pillows) that made each room feel alive. One of her favorite things was to respond to a "decorating emergency." She would arrive with her traveling decorating bag that contained everything she needed to transform the space into something even more beautiful.
Karen had a love for art which was evident as you walked through her home and admired all the artwork and paintings throughout. She studied and practiced for a hard-earned talent in painting which brought her joy and fulfillment. She took great pride in her own work and her home was a reflection of her artistic spirit, with her own paintings proudly displayed alongside the work of other artists.
Not only was her home beautifully decorated, Karen created a backyard that felt like a peaceful park-her own private outdoor paradise filled with blooming flowers and the cheerful songs of birds drawn to the feeders she faithfully tended. This space was her sanctuary, a place where she could relax, read a book, watch Brewers or Packers games, or take a nap. She also relished in sharing this space–through a glass of wine with a close friend, a cozy meal with one of her many friendship groups, a movie night with her granddaughters, or by throwing a party, big or small.
Karen always said and truly believed that everything happened for a reason. While we may not know the reason she left us so soon, we remember that she filled her life with beauty, connection, and most importantly, love. Although we will miss her deeply, we find comfort in knowing her love is always with us, she lives on in us - in every shared story, every blooming flower, and every bird that comes to visit. She told each of us, "no matter where I am, I am always here" and touched our hearts. She does live with each of us, she is part of us.
Please celebrate her life with us on Monday, August 4 at New Berlin Hills Golf Course, 13175 W. Graham St. New Berlin, WI 53151 from 2:00-5:00pm. Please bring a memory to share as she requested a party where we share stories.
Donations in Karen's memory can be made to:
Support bile duct cancer research:
Online at:
In memory of Karen Hartung You would like your donation to support the UW Carbone Center – all donations with her name to the Carbone Center will be linked to bile duct cancer research
Checks can be made out to the UW Carbone Cancer Center (her name in the memo) and mailed to:
University of Wisconsin Foundation
Attn: Carbone Cancer Center
US Bank Lockbox
PO Box 78807
Milwaukee, WI 53278-8807
Support her favorite pet shelter, HAWS (where she got Sunny)
Online at:
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