Surnames: Aking, Bennett, Cermak, Dums, Durham, Hutchinson, Maager, Mercier, Okon, Schwaab, Steig, Thums, Trempe, Veltus, Williams

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, May 26, 2011, online edition

---- Veltus, Karen A. (Dums) (July 2, 1963 - May 18, 2011)

Karen A. Veltus, age 47, of Amherst Junction, died early Wednesday morning, May 18, 2011 at the House of the Dove Hospice Center in Marshfield.

Karen was born on July 2, 1963 in Medford. She is the daughter of John and Mary (Maager) Dums.

She attended school in Rib Lake, graduating from Rib Lake High School in 1981. Her marriage to Brian Veltus took place on September 26, 1998 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Whittlesey.

After their marriage, the couple settled in Kenosha moving to Amherst in 2003. Her husband Brian survives.

Karen was a certified nursing assistant with the Memorial Health Care Center in Medford. Karen had a desire to fly planes. In her younger years, she would work third shift at Hardee's so she could attend Gateway Tech Institute flight school in Kenosha. She became a licensed pilot logging over 3,000 flying hours. She had such a love for flying that she became an instructor herself for Gateway Aviation for a number of years.

As a young girl she enjoyed horses, especially her horse Chico. Karen worked for the Department of Motor Vehicles as a field agent and examiner for over 14 years. She enjoyed her job and worked right up until her doctors told her she could no longer work. Karen had a deep appreciation for the outdoors. She enjoyed turkey hunting and fishing, loved mushroom picking and making homemade maple syrup on the family farm. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed family gatherings. She also loved traveling as she and Brian were able to share Caribbean cruises together.

Survivors include her husband, Brian of Amherst; a step-son, Nathaniel Hutchinson of Racine; her parents, John and Mary Dums of Rib Lake; three sisters, Catherine (Daniel) Thums of Prentice, Patricia (Kelly) Durham of Medford and Cynthia (Jan) Cermak of Middleton; four brothers, Duane Dums, David Dums, Clarence Dums and Gregory Dums, all of Rib Lake; her mother-in-law, Arlene Veltus of Racine; Two brothers-in-law, Greg Veltus and John Veltus, both of Racine; three sisters-in-law, Susan (William) Schwaab, Julie (Randy Williams) Veltus and Michele (Galen) Steig, all of Racine; and two special friends, a cousin, Judy Aking, and Sheila Veltus.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Karen's name at a later date.

Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, May 24 at St. Bronislava Catholic Church in Plover. Rev. James Trempe officiated. Entombment was at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Racine. Pisarski Community Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Plover assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
Karen's family would like to thank Dr. Mercier, Dr. Bennett and Dr. Okon and the Marshfield clinic for all their care, and the House of the Dove Hospice Center for their tender and loving kindness shown to us during Karen's stay there.

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Obit: Zirngible, Elsie V. (1924 - 2011)

Contact: rloss@bellsouth.net