Karen M. Tenuta

Karen M. Tenuta, 62, died at her residence, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. She was born in Racine on March 24, 1945, the daughter of the late Harry and Lillian (nee: Marx) Stadther. On October 9, 1976, in St. Rita Catholic Church, she was united in marriage to James Tenuta. Karen was a 1963 graduate of St. Catherine’s High School. She graduated from St. Therese School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse; she received a B.A. from Carthage College in 1975, and her Masters in Nursing Management from Marquette University in 1992. She had been employed at St. Mary’s Hospital (Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints) for over 29 years, serving as a surgical nurse, Head Nurse, Clinical Nurse Manager and finally Education Coordinator. Karen was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, and the American Association of Nurses. She was very active and extremely devoted to her family and the nursing profession. Surviving are her husband Jim; her sisters, Barbara (Joseph) DeRose of Racine, and Joy Stadther of Reston, VA; brother, Denis (Christine) Stadther of Kitty Hawk, NC; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ernie and Joyce Tenuta of Kenosha; brothers-in-law, Jeff (Sharon) Tenuta of Kenosha and Bill Rasmus of Santa Monica, CA. Her nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and friends further survive her. In addition to her parents, her sister-in-law Kathy Rasmus preceded her in death. A Memorial Service will be held in the funeral home on Friday, June 29th, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Dominic Roscioli officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral on from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials have been suggested to either the All Saints Cancer Clinic, Wheaton Franciscan Hospice, or the All Saints Continuing Education Department.