Alexius J. Karlen

Alexius (Alex) J. Karlen 92, Marathon died Monday, March 17, 2008, at Colonial Manor. He was born July 18, 1915, in the town of Cassel, son of the late Louis and Mary (Heil) Karlen. On June 4, 1940, he married Lorraine V. Boser at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Alex retired from the town of Emmet and previously owned Karlen Trucking. He also farmed and was a former cheesemaker at Green Valley and Pine Valley Cheese Factories. He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Race Car Fan. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine; seven children, Myron (Mary Ann) Karlen; Marjean (Jim) Nowack ; Ronald Karlen; Lynette (Don) Hieronimus; Patricia (Ed) Kryshak; Michael (Rox) Karlen; Bev Behnke (Mike Sommer); three siblings, Adelaide Schara, Joe Karlen, Edwin (Jeanette) Karlen, 22 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, one brother-in-law, Adolph Gruny Jr., Marathon and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Brenda Sue Nowack; a sister, Mildred Gruny, two brothers, Herbert and Clarence; and a daughter-in-law, Lynn Karlen. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 24, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Town of Cassel. Rev. Barnabas Kyea will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the Church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com