Karen Tyykila, age 87, passed away at her residence on Friday, August 14, 2026 after a diagnosis of lung cancer and Myelofibrosis.

Karen was born in Superior, WI to Einard G. and Zelda S. (nee: Lahti) Maki. She graduated from South Shore High School in Port Wing, WI and was Co-Valedictorian of her Class of '57. Karen attended Northland College in Ashland, WI. On August 31, 1957, she was united in marriage to Ervin E. Tyykila. They moved from Sturtevant to Brule, WI after Karen's retirement in 1994. Sadly, Ervin preceded her in death in February 2003.

Karen was employed as a secretary with Kenosha Unified School District for over 30 years. She was a member of AFSME Local 2383 and a surviving spouse member of UAW Local 180. Karen was a member of Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, the Finnish-American Society of Milwaukee, the South Shore Alumni Association, the Oulu Historical Society and the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. She was an avid reader; enjoyed playing her accordion and the piano; and sending cards and letters to family and friends. She was a fan of stock car racing and attended the ABC Raceway in Ashland, WI when her son, Kenny Ervin, participated in racing. In 2006, Karen met Ron Kroll, Sr. at Old Country Buffet. Ron and Ervin were co-workers at J.I. Case, and they hunted and fished together. Karen moved from Brule to live with Ron in Mount Pleasant. Ron preceded her in death in 2015.

Surviving are her children, Kenneth E. Tyykila, Sr. (Shanda Olson) from Iron River, WI, Janelle K. Schowalter from Sturtevant, WI, and Janette (Keller) Lenamond from Caddo Mills, TX; her brother and sister-in-law, Kerry and Karen Maki from Oregon, WI; 4 grandsons, 5 granddaughters, 12 great grandchildren; and 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Lahti from Oulu, WI and Bertha Mikkola from Maple, WI. Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin; parents, Einard and Zelda; brother, Kenneth E. Maki, Sr.; and brother-in-law, Rodney Lahti.

Service Details

A Memorial Service will be held for Karen in Oulu, WI at a later date. Cards and condolences may be sent to Janelle Schowalter, 3037 94 ^th Street, Sturtevant WI 53177.