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Kimmel, Karen L. (Fraedrich)

Karen L. (Fraedrich) Kimmel, age 75, of Weyauwega, WI passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Riverside Medical Center in Waupaca. 

Karen was born in the Town of Lind, Waupaca County on February 8, 1939, the daughter of the late Edwin and Eva (Gabrielson) Peterson. Karen graduated from Waupaca High School with the class of 1957 and was a member of Emmaus Lutheran Church, Town of Lind where she held many offices. Karen married Marvin Fraedrich and they later divorced. She then married Henry (Smokey) Kimmel on July 4, 1991 at Emmaus Lutheran Church and he preceded her in death on September 3, 1995. Her love of polka music led her to start playing the accordion by the age of 11 years old. She first played with the “Tag Alongs” and later formed a polka band which was known as “Karen and the Polka Gents.” She also did many outdoor polka services at her church and volunteered at many area nursing homes. Her other love was as a cake decorator for many years. 

Karen is survived by her children, Susan (Brian) Berrig, Waupaca; Kevin (Dana) Fraedrich, Weyauwega; her two grandchildren, Cameron (April Brewer) Berrig and Keyara Berrig; her sister, Jeanne (Harold) Falke, Weyauwega; a brother-in-law, Velmer Timm and her in-laws, LaVern and Aris Fraedrich. Also surviving are other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Henry Kimmel, three sisters and brothers in-law, Arleta and Walter Prill, Delores and Vernon Loehrke and Joan Timm and a special friend, Gabe Simonis. 

The Christian Funeral Service will be on Friday, August 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church, Town of Lind with Reverend William Jordan, officiating. Burial will follow in the Lind Center Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday evening from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca continuing on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

 
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