Karen Marie Hurd

Karen M. (Mander) Hurd, 71, of Pewaukee, passed on to heaven Tuesday, February 9, 2021 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. For 45 years, Karen was married to William Hurd. She is survived by her son, Matthew and his wife, Danielle; and daughter, Annemarie (Schaff) and her husband, Brian. Karen was the amazing nana to Braydon, Brennan, and Zachary, and would have done anything for them or her kids. Karen is also survived by her mother, Phyllis Mander; sister, Kay Bellis and her husband, John and other cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Karen was born in Onawa, Iowa on July 1, 1949, the daughter of Earl and Phyllis Mander. She was raised on a farm in Blencoe, Iowa along with her sister, Kay. Karen obtained her Bachelor's degree from Dana College in Blair, NE and her Master's degree in Library Science from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA. She worked at the Law Library of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE, where she met her husband, Bill.

On August 2, 1975, Karen married William in Lincoln, NE and they moved to Milwaukee, WI, where Karen worked at the library for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Their son, Matthew, was born in 1976, and daughter, Annemarie followed in 1979. Karen had a long, successful career as a reference librarian at the Waukesha County Federated Library System, as well as the Pauline Haass Public Library in Sussex, WI, with 30 years of dedicated service at the time of her retirement.

Karen was a voracious reader, and enjoyed meeting and hosting several authors as part of her professional responsibilities at the library. She was a strong but soft-spoken woman who loved spending time with her family, and especially her grandsons. She enjoyed traveling to Iowa, South Dakota, Florida, Hawaii, and countless other locations with her family. Karen was a smart, witty, patient woman who always made time for others and always offered a kind word or piece of advice or wisdom. She had a gentle, giving spirit about her that exuded kindness and positivity, and her quiet strength will be forever remembered.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021, from 2-5 pm at the Rotary Building in Frame Park; 1150 Baxter Street, Waukesha, WI 53186.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Alzheimer's Association or to your local public library.