Karen R. Molenda

On Sunday, January 7, 2024, Earth lost an incredibly kind and gentle-hearted woman. Karen Rose Molenda peacefully slipped into eternity at the young age of 81.
Karen was born in West Allis, Wisconsin, on February 27, 1942, to Peter and Helen (Sluss) Loiacano. She was the youngest daughter with Marilyn Loiacano (O'Neil) as her older sister.
As she grew, she established a deep love for Allen Molenda. They married and together they had a son, David Molenda. David gave her two amazing grandchildren, Dana Brusewitz, and Taylor Molenda. Dana married Dan Brusewitz, and they gave Karen two great-grandboys, Carter and Hudson. Taylor Molenda married Shana (Danzinger) Molenda, and they also gave Karen two great-grandboys, Jordy and Jace. These two grandchildren and four great- grandboys were the love of Karen's life and were with her a few days celebrating Christmas together before she departed this Earth. Later in David's life, he married Kerry (Schoon) Molenda and together they cared for Karen. She was very independent right up until her final days.
Karen moved to San Diego, California, to enjoy the sunshine, the warm weather and used her Alverno College degree to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her master's degree in psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and started her practice while working at the University of San Diego. She loved to help couples and individuals improve their relationships.
Karen recently retired from the working world and was enjoying the simpler things in life. She will be missed by many lives that she touched.
The funeral will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024, at CHURCH AND CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 7626 West Greenfield Avenue, West Allis, Wisconsin. Public Visitation will be from 4:00 PM– 6:00 PM with a short service to follow at 6:00 PM. For those unable to attend, there will be a live stream. For further details, please visit the funeral home website. For anyone interested in celebrating Karen's life with family and friends, we will be sharing a meal at 7:00 PM.
Private interment at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin, Wisconsin.
Church and Chapel Skubal-Koelsch-Larsen Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, please call 414-476-0052 or visit www.churchandchapel.com to view the online obituary or leave condolences.