Karen S. Palmer, age 56, of Boyceville, Wis. died suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, in Medford, Wis., in a motorcycle accident. Bruce and Karen were on a motorcycle ride with friends on a beautiful day, doing something they both enjoyed.

The former Karen Kovacik was born March 22, 1946, in Racine, Wis. to John and Angeline (Ahrndt) Kovacik. She graduated from Racine Lutheran High School in 1964,

then received a bachelor’s degree in fashion and merchandising from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and an associate degree from the Fashion Institute of New York.

Karen worked as an intern for Butterick Patterns and Macy’s in New York before her marriage. She married Bruce Palmer on July 31, 1971, in Racine, Wis. They lived in Roseville, Minn. for three years where Karen worked as instructor and curriculum coordinator at Anoka Technical College in Anoka, Minn. They moved back to the Menomonie, Wis. area and Karen took time off to raise their family and then have a preschool in her home. Karen did volunteer work at the Boyceville Library, then worked several retail jobs. She also worked several years in the Menomonie Public Library. The last several years she did substitute teaching at Boyceville Elementary School

Karen was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie, Wis. She enjoyed gardening, reading, volunteering, antiques, traveling and she loved her family. She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends.

Karen is survived by two sons, Karl (Jennifer) Palmer and Sean Palmer (Christine Odishoo), both of Menomonie; her mother-in-law, Margaret Palmer of Boyceville; one brother,

John (Jane) Kovacik of Madison, Wis.; niece, Jennifer Lee Kovacik; one brother-in-law, Gene (Jeri Lou) Palmer of Fort Collins, Colo.; niece and nephews, Daniel, Lisa and Michael; their dog, Billy and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Angeline.

Memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie, Wis. with Rev. Ron Burke officiating. Visitation was held Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 3-8 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, Wis. and one hour prior to the service at the church.