Karen Lucele

Tway

Karen Lucele Tway, 77, of Lake Mills, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at her home.

She was born on November 12, 1941 in Clifton, WI, the daughter of the late Irwin and Clara Mae (Hanson) Nelson. Karen grew up on a farm there with her parents and 4 siblings whom she has remained close to though separated by varying distances.

Karen attended Tomah High School.  She married Phillip Tway on July 12, 1958.  Karen and Phillip moved to Madison after marrying and then to Lake Mills in 1959.  She and Phillip raised 5 children together and celebrated their 60 ^th wedding anniversary in 2018.

Karen worked for the Lake Mills School District for over 27 years, at first as a cook, and retired as the Food Service Director in 2005.  She appreciated and was well liked by students, staff, and co-workers in the schools throughout the district. The salads, cinnamon buns, monster cookies, and chocolate chip and peanut butter bars prepared by her and her fellow co-workers were some of the popular favorites enjoyed by all.

The farm she grew up on in Clifton held a special place in her heart and she enjoyed returning home for visits and family reunions.

Karen loved watching the Packers, reading and doing crossword puzzles, and was always happy to share a recipe.  She enjoyed traveling with her family as they were growing up and later with just her husband when their children left the nest.  She also enjoyed gardening with her husband and grew, canned or pickled various vegetables and fruit. Everyone always enjoyed her tastiest pickles. She loved seeing and visiting with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Karen also enjoyed speaking to or visiting with close friends and co-workers. She had a good sense of humor and could often be heard laughing when conversing with others.

Karen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Phillip; her children Jean (Larry) Jelken of Jefferson, Bruce (Monica) Tway of Omaha, NE, David (Debra) Tway of Neosho, Douglas (Debra) Tway of Lake Mills, and Andrew Tway of Lake Mills; her brothers Jerry (Ann) Nelson of Madison, Robert (Linda) Nelson of Hustler; her sister Betty McConnell of St. Paul, MN, and sister-in-law Twinkle Nelson of Atlanta, GA; her 11 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Daniel) Holly, Christina (Robert) Berndt, Madison Tway, Michelle Tway, Stephanie (Jacob) Splan, Stephen Tway, Michael (Jessica) Tway, Mark Tway, Matthew Tway, Sheila Fuchs and Anthony Tway; her 7 great grandchildren: Nevaea, Avonlea, Serenity, Lucille, Braiden, Gage, Leara; other relatives; and also her lifelong friend, Karen Ulrich.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Alan of Atlanta, Georgia, and other relatives, friends, and co-workers.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Real Hope Community Church in Lake Mills with Pastor Craig Legel officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. when services will begin. A luncheon will follow the service.

If desired, memorials may be made in honor of Karen Tway to the UW Cancer Center in Johnson Creek, the Lake Mills EMS, and the Lake Mills Food Pantry or of one's choice. The family would like to thank the Lake Mills EMS and Fire Department for all their assistance and care at the time of Karen's passing. And special thanks to the Claussen Funeral Home.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com