Karen Jankowski

Karen Elaine (Groth) Jankowski, age 69, of Waunakee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 15, 2016 at home, surrounded by her husband and sons. Born on July 13, 1946 in Minneapolis, Minn., to Paul and Elaine Groth, she married Thomas Allen Jankowski on August 3, 1974 in Neenah, Wisconsin.
Karen was a graduate of Neenah High School, St. Olaf College and Boston University, where she earned her masters degree in nursing. She had a distinguished career as a nurse clinician and teacher at the University of WI Hospital, managing both stroke and neurology clinics until her retirement in 2012.
Karen loved reading, decorating, shopping, cooking and entertaining. She had the gift of hospitality, warmly welcoming everyone into their home. Whenever there was a family gathering, Karen was always the first to say "I'm in" and always added, "What can I bring?" She loved having family and friends gather at their lake home up north, savoring every chance to watch the most beautiful sunsets or go for a pontoon ride.
Karen is survived by her beloved husband, Tom, sons Matthew and Adam, all of Waunakee; four siblings, Susan (Thomas) Walters of LaValle, Wis., David Groth of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Kristin (Edward Jepsen) Groth of Madison, Wis., and Jeffrey (Kris Ann) Groth of Verona, Wis.; brother and sister in-laws; Robert (Lorraine) Jankowski of Neenah, Wis; Vernon (Loraine) Jankowski of Neenah, Wis; Carl (Joyce) Jankowski of Neenah, Wis.; nieces and nephews, Shelby Truesdail of Modesto, Calif.; Michael Jankowski of Neenah, Wis.; Sharon (John) Giles of West Haven, Utah; Teresa (Jeff) Paulus of Neenah, Wis.; Jean Anne (Lee) Schroeder of Waupaca, Wis.; James (Catharine) Jankowski of Neenah, Wis.; Gregory Walters of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Emily (Aaron) Kunkel of Bend, Ore., Michael Walters of Verona, Wis., Sara (Christopher) Graverson of Baraboo, Wis., Kristofer (Michele) Groth of Vermilion, Ohio, and Paul Groth of Verona, Wis.; a step-nephew and niece, Andrew Jepsen of Westlake Village, Calif. and Kira Jepsen of Boston, Mass.; along with a list of long-time friends and respected colleagues.
Her parents, Paul and Elaine Groth, along with father- and mother-in-law Frank and Regina Jankowski, preceded Karen in death.
We are forever grateful to her oncology doctors, Amye J. Tevaarwerk, MD and Murtuza Rampurwala, MD, MPH and primary care physician Joan F. Addington-White, MD, FACP; and to Agrace HospiceCare for the professional care and concern provided for Karen making her final days so comfortable.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday May 5, at Cress Funeral Home, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI 53705. Additional visitation beginning at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 6 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, Wis.
Memorials gifts may be made to UW Carbone Cancer Center in lieu of flowers. Please share memories.


Cress Center
6021 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8406