Karen Rita Rayner

Karen Rita (Peterson) Rayner, 81, of Soldiers Grove, WI went to be with our Heavenly Father on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

She was born at the Schoville homestead at Trout Creek, on January 31,1941, to Thorvald and Opal (Schoville) Peterson. She married Ernest Wayne Rayner on December 12, 1959, in North Clayton, WI. Karen followed Ernest to Montana for his service in the Air Force, where she began working for Boeing in accounting. They began a young family with two children while serving in Montana. After 6 years, they moved to Beloit, WI where she began working for The Beloit College in accounting. Her love for people and numbers followed her working life in personal banking where she retired from Chase Bank in Madison, WI.

After retirement, she dedicated her life to raising her grandson; Gabriel Rayner and standing by her husband’s side through his spiritual journey. She had a passion for gardening and flowers, loved to watch the birds, and loved the company of animals, especially her “Schatzi”. Karen had a passion for helping others whether that was delivering food to people in need or lending a listening ear when in troubled times. She was a true light in this world and left many footprints along her journey.

She is survived by her son, Ernie Rayner of Soldiers Grove, WI; daughter, Lori (Don) Mikkelson of Beloit, WI; special grandson, Gabriel (Charish) Rayner of Soldiers Grove, WI; sister; Rebecca (Jeffrey) Bald of Cottage Grove, WI; grandchildren: Nicole (Brian) Scheeringa of Tucson, AZ, Ryan (Whitney) Rayner of Tucson, AZ, Brook (Jaimee) Rayner of Tucson, AZ, Chayce Rayner of Jefferson, WI, Donielle (Nicholas) Hamilton of Beloit, WI, Kyle (Martelle) Mikkelson of Eau Claire, WI, Holly Mikkelson of Janesville, WI, and Kaleb (Cari) Mikkelson of Beloit, WI; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Wayne Rayner; parents, Thorvald and Opal Peterson; sisters, Elizabeth Peterson and Martha Peterson; and nephew, Brian Peterson.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at Community of Christ Church, 43983 County Rd X, Soldiers Grove. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Karen will be laid to rest at North Clayton Cemetery.

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

325 Sunset Ridge Ave.

Gays Mills, WI 54631

(608) 735-2100