Karene Kay Eales

Karene Kay Eales (Rene), 82, of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on March 10, 2026. She was a cherished aunt, great aunt, great great aunt, and friend, and her presence will be deeply missed.

Karene was born to Loyd and Martha (Skeeba) Eales on June 14, 1943, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She grew up on and near Pewaukee Lake with her siblings, Wally, Kenny, Sharon, and Bobby (she lost her sister Violet in infancy). Aunt Rene would often recount childhood memories of swimming, fishing, and boating on the lake, as well as playing any game they could imagine with siblings, cousins, and neighborhood kids. Her love of animals started in childhood; she and her brother Bobby, with whom she was inseparable, had a pair of ducks that would waddle down the boulevard to the lake either with or without them for their morning swim. They also had a pair of parquettes that had an unfortunate “midair collision” one day while they were at school. Seems Grandma Eales wasn’t quite the animal lover her daughter was. She always spoke fondly of their first dog, a collie named Queenie, who was incredibly protective of her.

Aunt Rene attended Pewaukee schools, where her love of all things to do with sports took hold. She was a stellar athlete. To her disappointment, she came up in a time when the only sport opportunity for young women was to participate in something called “GAA”. Aunt Rene would say those letters as though she had a bad taste in her mouth. It apparently stood for “Girls Athletic Association,” and while it was at least a chance to play, she called it “glorified intramurals". She really liked to compete.

After graduating from Pewaukee High in 1961, she was able to find an outlet for her competitive nature. Her speed and agility served her well on the softball field, where she was a standout pitcher and shortstop. Bowling also became a true passion; she was a nationally ranked bowler and loved the time and travel it afforded her with friends like Max and Carol. Aunt Rene was inducted into the Waukesha Women's Bowling Hall of Fame in 1987. Less competitively, Aunt Rene enjoyed golf, bocce ball, bags, and horseshoes, but she always kept score. In her leisure time, Aunt Rene enjoyed playing cards, listening to music, and happily singing along with every word, indulging in a beer or brandy old-fashioned sour with olives, and just being around her people.

Aunt Rene’s entire career was with Waukesha Engine. She was there 40+ years, and although she enjoyed her coworkers, there was nothing she enjoyed more than her retirement. Aunt Rene’s second career came in the form of childcare to her beloved great nieces, McKenna, Ashlynn, and Teagan. She followed all of her nieces and nephews' activities with great pride and enthusiasm. Though she never married or had children of her own, she served as an integral member to all of her extended family. The world will never be the same without her spunky, sassy, loving, kindness.

Aunt Rene was preceded in death by her parents, her aforementioned siblings, and cherished dogs. She is survived by numerous devoted nieces, nephews, and friends.