Karen Joy Hassler

Karen (Jepsen) Hassler 76 of Stevens Point, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on December 30, 2021.

Karen was born on September 7, 1945 in Wisconsin Rapids to the late Harold and Frances (Reshel) Jepsen. She lived in Arcadia, where her father was the station agent with the Green Bay & Western Railroad. They moved to Stevens Point when she was 8 years old where she attended Lincoln elementary school, Emerson Junior High and graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1963. She attended UW-Stevens Point, graduating in 1966 with majors in Sociology and Political Science. In college she was involved in student government, a member of Alpha Phi sorority, and young democrats - which became a lifelong passion. After working as a social worker for 2 years and discovering a passion for working with young people she returned to school. In 1970 she received her masters degree in Guidance & Counseling from UW-Oshkosh. She then worked as a guidance counselor at Ben Franklin Junior High for 34 years until her retirement.

She was married to Donald Hassler on October 28, 1967 and together they had two children Jason Hassler (Kelly Ostrowski) of Stevens Point and Kelly (David) Burkemper of Pewaukee Wisconsin. Of all her "jobs" being a mother and grandmother were her favorite. The best part of retirement was spending time with her six grandchildren Kalin Hassler, Aiden, Reagan, Addison, Alexandra and Samantha Burkemper.

Over the years Karen was involved in the community in many ways. She was very active with United Way including as Vice President on the board of directors and assisted with many campaigns. She always lent a helping hand and a smile to anyone in need. She loved to bake, read, play bridge but most of all spend time with friends and her beloved family.

Karen is preceded in death by her husband Donald Hassler, brother Douglas Jepsen and her parents Harold and Frances Jepsen.

She is survived by her son Jason Hassler (Kelly Ostrowski) of Stevens Point and Kelly (David) Burkemper of Pewaukee, Wisconsin and 6 grandchildren, Kalin Hassler, Aiden, Reagan, Addison, Alexandra and Samantha Burkemper, 3 step grandchildren, Jesse, Sydney and Cortny Trzebiatowski, and many loving friends.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.