Karen Cook

McFarland - Karen Mallow Cook, age 54, passed away on Wednesday April 5, 2023. She was lovingly surrounded by her family at home in McFarland. Karen fought a valiant battle against an aggressive and inoperable cancer. Karen is survived by her husband Dane, daughters Abbie and Megan, sister Barbara, brothers Casey and Tom, father Glenn, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.

Anyone who met Karen knew of her beautiful smile and infectious laugh. Karen’s sharp wit and sense of humor were contagious, which made being around her such a joy. She made friends easily, evidenced by her life-long and newer relationships from near and far. Karen was a dedicated and devoted mother, heavily involved in activities with her girls, including as a Girl Scouts leader. She was a devoted and loving wife to her husband of 22 years, Dane. The couple met at graduate school in Georgia, navigated their post graduate lives together in New Jersey, and eventually settled in McFarland, WI, when Dane accepted a professorship at University of Wisconsin - Madison. Karen and Dane worked hard, raised two wonderful daughters, traveled extensively, and maintained deep friendships with many people.

Karen had an appetite for travelling, seeing new places, experiencing different cultures, and enjoying amazing food. She was intelligent, diligent, and exceedingly giving of her time; and she was excellent at planning family adventures. The Cook family made memories travelling throughout the U.S. and were able to enjoy several trips abroad. Karen was a loving daughter, sister, and aunt, frequently traveling home to New York to see her parents, siblings, and extended family.

Karen was born on April 12, 1968, in Elmira, New York, to Glenn Elton and Patricia Treat Mallow. She was raised in Horseheads, New York and graduated from Horseheads High School in 1982. Karen attended Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA and graduated with a Bachelor of Sports Medicine. She then attended the University of Georgia in Athens and graduated with a Master of Education, specializing in Exercise Science in June 1996. Karen would go on to work on important medical studies, coordinating and monitoring clinical research trials, for employers such as Duke University, Harvard University, and most recently Exact Sciences. She will be sorely missed and dearly remembered.

A Celebration of Life for Karen is planned for Sunday, April 16th.

1:00-3:30pm, open house style

Olbrich Gardens Evjue Commons

3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704

Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 22nd at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 563 Jerusalem Hill, Elmira, NY 14901.

A Celebration of Life will follow the burial from  12:00 – 3:00 pm on Saturday April 22, 2023 at Hill Top Inn, 171 Jerusalem Hill, Elmira, NY 14901

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Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

5801 Highway 51, P.O. Box 105, McFarland

(608) 838-0655