Karen Barton

The Lord took an angel home too soon. Karen Ann Barton, 68, passed away suddenly on August 21, 2011, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI.
She was born on December 29, 1942, in Milwaukee, WI, to Lester and Viola (Sautner) Lafler. Karen married the love of her life, Rex F. Barton, on August 11, 1962, in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. They later divorced, but the love remained. Together they raised the pride and joy of her life, her reason for living, her five children: Lee (Sara) Barton of Virginia Beach, VA, Scott (Gina) Barton of Black River Falls, WI, Roxanne (Chuck) Raykovich of Bloomer, WI, Kim (Destiny) Barton of Port Edwards, WI, and Kelly Gullo (Andy Schmidt) of Chippewa Falls, WI. Losing her will forever leave a hole in her children’s hearts.
Though the family moved a lot, Karen made every house a home and made her children feel loved and cared for. She eventually settled down near her children and resided in Bloomer, WI, for the past 16 years where she would embarrass her children by constantly taking out her picture book to anyone who’d listen and share pictures of her beloved children, grandchildren, and “granddogs.” There wasn’t a stranger she wouldn’t talk to who wouldn’t eventually become a friend and eventually know everything about her family.
She devoted herself to caring for others and did so by being a nursing assistant at various long term care facilities and finally retiring from Lake Wissota Health Care. Not being one to enjoy doing “nothing,” she then became a volunteer at the MapleWood Nursing Home in Bloomer, WI, where she continued to shine her light on the residents and families there. Her purpose in life was to help and care for people, and she did it with a youthful zest and laughter. She is so worthy of the tears that are flowing.
Nothing made her prouder than being with her children, watching her daughter sing or watching her grandchildren perform or participate in band or sports. She wanted nothing more than for her children to be safe and happy and her grandchildren to make good choices and know that they were loved. She was looking forward to spoiling her new soon-to-be great grandson, Braydon Scott.
Karen is survived by her heartbroken children, her mother, Viola Lafler of Wisconsin Rapids, 10 grandchildren: Joshua and Emily Barton, Blair(Ryan) Mueller, Justin and Kylie Barton, Kristina and Cody Barton, Ashley(Jake) Wanta, and Kendren and Kaein Gullo; her three sisters: Laurie (Warren) Grismer, Lynn Lafler, and Ada Mork, all of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and a brother, Danny (Paula) Lafler of Texas; many nieces and nephews, and her canine companion that she loved so much, Kenzie. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Rex Barton, her father, Lester Lafler, her father and mother-in-law, Frances and Ida Mae Barton, her brothers-in law, Robert Andreasen, Doug Barton and Harley Mork, and her beloved dog, Callie. Right up to the end she was giving and caring for others by being an organ donor. Her strong faith in God will help comfort her children knowing that she will once again be reunited with her loved ones wrapped in God’s arms.
In the words of Liz Rose:
When I love, I give it all I've got like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray like my mother does
When I feel weak and un-pretty I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself like my mother does

A celebration of her life will be held at Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer on Thursday, August 25, at 3:00 PM with Father James Arthur Officiating. Friends may call from 1:00-3:00 PM on Thursday at the Funeral Home. A second memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 6:00 PM at the Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids with a visitation from 3:00 – 6:00 PM at the funeral home.