Karen V. Otto

Karen V. Otto entered into eternal life on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at her home. She was 77 years old.

Karen was the definition of a mother — not just to her own children, but to everyone lucky enough to call her theirs. Born on April 10, 1949, in Wausau, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Jr. and Jeanette (Smith) Opper. Karen was the oldest of nine children, and learned the importance of caring for others at an early age. She grew into the family's second mother, another set of hands to ensure every sibling was fed and cared for. Helping raise six brothers and two sisters was no small task. It came with endless stories of things her brothers got into, plus a lifetime of jokes all in the name of love. Her siblings called her "Ma" then, and most of them still do now.

On May 9, 1970, Karen married John Otto in Wausau. The two were together 59 years and married for 56 of them, building a life and a family through the good times and the hard times. They took pride in their home and their family, and stood by each other through illness, injury, and the loss of their infant son. Karen worked at the former Wausau Insurance, before stepping away to be a stay-at-home mom and raise her two girls. Eventually returning to Wausau Insurance for a career that spanned more than 30 years, building a circle of lifelong friendships along the way.

Family and flowers were her favorites, in that order — though most days it was hard to tell them apart, since she tended both with the same patience and pride. She dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren, rarely missing a sporting event or band concert, cheering first for her daughters and then for her granddaughters, and showing up for every milestone, graduation and craft show as long as she was able. If you needed support or advice, Karen was the first call to make, and she always picked up.

She loved plants and flowers, and her yard proved it — never fewer than a dozen potted flowers or hanging baskets, all carefully tended to and watched as they grew and bloomed, much like her own children and grandchildren.

She loved to travel, too. Taking the whole family to Disney World was a goal of hers, and she made it happen. She and John traveled often, most notably on an Alaskan cruise and to see the Panama Canal, but Hawaii was always her favorite.

Survivors include her husband, John; daughters, Ericka (Scott) Schaefer and Kelly (Tony) Trojanowski; grandchildren, Morgan and Brooke Schaefer and Eliza (fiancé Hunter) Trojanowski and Nora Trojanowski; great-granddaughter, Winona; brothers, Dennis (Lisa), Sigmond (Pat), Clayton (Sherri) and Brian (Donna) Opper; sister, Marsha (Milton) Schultz; sister-in-law, Karen Opper; brother-in-law, Ken Krejci; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by son, Jeremy; brothers, Shawn and Ray III; and sister, Kay.

The funeral service will be held at First English Lutheran Church, Wausau, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com