Karen Lea Knudsen, age 63 of Manitowoc, passed away gracefully on Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 surrounded by her family.

To what many may have looked like an ordinary life, hers was extraordinary.

Born in Burlington, WI on August 2, 1954 to the late Donald & Esther Tripp.

Karen graduated Oshkosh High School class of 1972. Shortly after high school, Karen married William Knudsen in June of 1974. They celebrated over 40 years of marriage together and are an example to all of what true love looks like. In good times and in bad they endured.

Karen spent her career working in the medical clinic setting, most notably behind the scenes in medical coding. While work was part of her everyday life it was no means her passion. Karen lived for her family, and always said her greatest accomplishment in life was having and raising three children.

In March 2011 Karen was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a deteriorating condition of both lungs with no known cause and no known cure. In October, 2011 she underwent a successful double-lung transplant at Loyola Medical Center in Chicago, Il. While health issues continued to challenge her, Karen took full advantage of her second chance in life. The new lungs gave her 6 more years which afforded her the ability to celebrate 40 years of marriage with Bill, see her two daughters get married and meet four new granddaughters. In addition, continue to see her first two grandchildren grow into amazing young adults.

Karen loved the water, whether it was listening to the waves under her favorite palm tree on Fort Myers Beach or on the shores of Lake Michigan. Karen enjoyed cooking and baking and taught her children that is was perfectly acceptable to have cake for breakfast. She never met a stray kitty she didn't keep and had an affinity for attracting the ones that needed extra special care.

She is survived by her devoted husband, William Knudsen; her children, Christopher (Kelly) Knudsen, Joslyn (Carver) Siewert and Lindsay (Mike) Rick; her grandchildren, whom brought her endless joy, Lydia & Aiden Knudsen, Rowan & Maeve Siewert, and Elaina & Lillian Rick; and her siblings, Denise Johnson, Gail (James) Mahoney, and Kevin Tripp.

Karen found joy in the simplest pleasures. She stated that good food, good music and lots of laughs are often the best medicine no matter what. We will honor Karen with a Celebration of Life on Sunday, October 29th, 2017 at The Waters, 1393 Washington Avenue, Oshkosh, WI, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 North Water Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220 is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, Karen requested any funds collected be divided among local area Animal Shelters.

Karen and her family would like to thank her donor Janice, and her family, for the selfless gift of organ donation. We urge all to please consider organ donation and share life. Many thanks to the doctors and nurses who helped Karen on her journey and to her Hospice nurse, Kim, who ensured she was at peace.