Karene Whalen

Karene E. (Kay) Whalen, 81, Wausau died Friday October 25, 2013 at Aspirus Hospital MSICU, surrounded by her loving family. Kay was born September 26, 1932 in Syracuse New York, daughter of the late John and Helene (Sehl) O'Grady. On January 22, 1955 she married the love of her life, Kenneth "Ken" Whalen at Sacred Heart Church Palos Hills, IL. Kay touched many lives with her kindness, caring heart and selflessness always putting others first. What she enjoyed most was spending time with her family and her extended family who always called her "ma", she especially enjoyed her children's and grandchildren's accomplishments always encouraging them to do their best and cheering them on. Kay attended college at the University of Chicago at Navy Pier, and then traveled to Cuba. Upon returning she worked for many years as a chemist at Argon National Laboratory then Ford Motor Company where she met her husband Ken. Kay served as the first park commissioner for the Worth-Palos IL Park District. After relocating to Wausau WI. Kay collaborated to begin the Wausau Women's volleyball and softball league playing both sports into her mid 60's. Kay enjoyed golf and played in three leagues. Prior to retirement she worked at Aspirus/Wausau Hospital for 25 years where she was known to play a joke or two. Survivors include her children, Kathi (Randy) Geiger and Kerry (Missy) Whalen, both of Wausau, and Kristi (Franz) Whalen-Brunner, Florida, her sister Sheila Pallotto Frankfort , IL five grandchildren, Kristina and Alex Geiger, Carissa, Jake and Mariah Whalen, two step grandchildren, Jennifer (Steve) Kimock and Nicole (Tim) Cogswell and four step great grandchildren, Skyler, Ryland, Nyle, Emmi, one adopted granddaughter, Vera Otterstein, Germany, many nieces and nephews and her faithful dog Chance who never left her side. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Ken, and brother-in-laws Donald Whalen and Rudy Pallotto and a niece Laura Whalen. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. The Rev. Jeffrey Hinds will officiate. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. The family would like to thank Dr Ahuja and his staff at the Aspirus Cancer Center, Dr Lahren and all of the Aspirus Pulmonary and Critical Care physicians and staff. The nursing and respiratory therapy staff for providing wonderful care and emotional support to our family during this difficult time. Interim Home Health and Hospice. A special thanks to Kay's friends for their emotional support to Kay and our family in her time of need and especially Pastor Jeff Hinds for always being there when we needed him.