Karen Diane Riddet

Beloved wife, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend, Karen Diane Riddet, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026 after a brief illness. Karen brought laughter into the lives of everyone who knew her.

Born in Wheaton, IL on September 16, 1949, Karen was already an artist from a young age. She was also a musician, playing flute in the Wheaton H.S. band.

Karen met painter Michael Riddet while working for the DuPage County Forest Preserve. Each was going through some heartache at the time, but it was healing love at first sight for both of them. Michael thought upon first meeting her, “this is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” They were together ever since and married May 31, 1975.

After working for the forest preserve for about five years together, they started to look around for a place in nature to create art. Both agreed that the Driftless was one of the most beautiful places they had ever seen. While visiting one property, two red-tailed hawks cried out and circled overhead. They turned to each other and said simultaneously, “they want us to live here.” They bought that land and started building their life over the next 50 years.

During those years, Karen’s life centered on creativity, antiquing, nature, and community. For many years, she and Michael owned and operated the Hawkshead Gallery in Boscobel. Karen was a talented artist. Not only did she create intricate and witty miniatures but she also did quilling and cross-stitch. She loved Christmas decorations, many handmade, in the gallery at any time of year.

Karen bartended at several places in Boscobel including the bowling alley, a few local bars, and finally the historic Central House Hotel, where she and Michael humorously created The Malört Society. She was an iconic fixture at the hotel and even helped with the renovations to bring it back to public life. She remembered everyone’s drink – you could be away for five years and she’d still remember what you wanted the moment you walked in. Many fondly remember her annual July party.

Karen was an avid bowler for many years, and even coached kids. For around twenty-five years she organized and participated in one of the largest civil war reenactments in the State of Wisconsin. She found joy in her art, gardening, bird watching (most recently rehabilitating an injured blue-jay), spending time with friends, and baking (her cheesecakes were some of the best!).

Karen was a wildly prolific reader who loved everything from non-fiction to romance novels and everything in between. She was equally quick with a wry comeback, as she was patient while hand-feeding peanuts to chipmunks. She had a wicked sense of humor, was very hardworking, honest to a fault, and valued kindness and positivity. She was a loyal neighbor and deeply loving friend, adding friends to those she considered family.

Karen leaves behind her adoring husband, Michael; her sister, Sharon Patrick (BJ); brother, William Fron; sister-in-law, Donna Fron; nephews, Bill Fron (Becky), David Fron (Anna), and Jay Patrick (Justine); grand-nieces and nephews, Kate and Mary Barrett Fron, Will and AJ Fron, Kianna and Bells Patrick; many cousins; dogs, Wallace and Gromit; and hundreds of friends and former patrons who remember her warmly. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and June Fron; her brother, Jim; and all of her beloved dogs.

Thank you to the all her friends and family who provided support, meals, rides, gardening, and love through Karen’s life, illness and death.

A celebration of life will be held in the coming months. Those who wish to honor Karen may raise a glass and toast her at the Central House Hotel bar the next time you visit.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Karen's family.

325 Sunset Ridge Ave.

Gays Mills, WI 54631

608-735-2100