Karen L. (Leonhard) Lohse

Karen L. Lohse, 83, of Morrison, Illinois, formerly of Erie, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023 at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. Moline.  Visitation will be from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Greenview Memorial Gardens in East Moline.  Memorials may be made to Resthave or to the Erie Evangelical Free Church.

Karen was born on December 16, 1939 in Moline, the daughter of Donald and Claretta Brissman Leonhard.  She married Ronald Lohse on June 25, 1961 in East Moline; he preceded her in death on February 13, 2008.

Karen graduated from UTHS in 1957 where she was a member of the rifle club and proud to be a “top young mind”.  She graduated from Augustana College in 1961 and went on to teach, later serving as a substitute teacher in Whiteside County.  Karen was a member of the Erie Evangelical Free Church, she loved to work puzzles, sing, and play the piano.  In her younger years, she enjoyed gardening and fishing.

Karen is survived by her children: Ron (Joy) Lohse II of Stavanger, Norway, Jana (Rick) Clancy of Bradford, Chris Lohse of East Moline and Meri (Scott) Hammer of Erie; 9 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and a brother, Don “Fred” Leonhard.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

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