Karin Lynn Wells

Service Details

Funeral services celebrating Karen’s life will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 10:00 am with Deacon Eloy Contreras officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum. A reception will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 – 10:00 am.  

Memorial Suggestions

Karin’s love of animals was woven into so many of her happiest days. Sharing her curiosity and compassion with her children and grandchildren brought her great joy, and her passion became a lasting thread in the fabric of their family. The Omaha Zoo held special meaning – a place that reflected this passion and continues to be a part of her family’s story. Additionally, Karin cherished her family. In 2020, when her granddaughter faced breast cancer, she was deeply grateful for the support provided through Comforting Hands – Aurora, which helped ensure she received the care and strength needed during that difficult time. Thus, in lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to the Omaha Zoo Foundation or Comforting Hands – Aurora, in gratitude for all they have brought to Karin’s deepest love, her family.

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Karin Lynn (nee: Hoppe) Wells, age 90, passed away peacefully Monday morning, February 9, 2026 at Lakeshore at Siena-Shorelight Memory Support, following a 5-year journey with dementia. It was with the help of her extended family at Shorelight that kept Karin’s spunk, spice & smile until the day she passed. 

Karin was born in Racine, WI on September 20, 1935 to the late Ernest and Viola (nee: Petersen) Hoppe. She attended Washington Park High School “Class of 1953” and went on to receive her degree in education from UW-Milwaukee. She taught at Knapp School for two years before marrying the love of her life, Guy J. Wells. They were united in marriage on September 17, 1960 in St. Lucy Catholic Church (when it located on Howe Street). From that point on, Karin fulfilled her dream of being a doting housewife and full-time mother extraordinaire. Occasionally, she did help at the family business, Wells Brothers Restaurant, a Racine tradition that lives on today.

Karin loved being involved with her entire family, especially her girls. Karin was involved with Brownies & Girl Scouts and all other activities that Paula & Marsha joined and was one of the self-proclaimed matriarchs of Lincolnshire Drive. The family has so many memories from traveling around the country together in their 1970 Ford Pick-Up camper. She enjoyed cooking, crafts, cross stitch, quilting, homemade Christmas ornaments, supporting Guy’s hunting hobbies and Racine Instinctive Bowmen membership, and absolutely loved being a grandmother to Ashley & Megan. Years later, her face would beam with pride as she was surrounded by her great-grandchildren that affectionately called her “GiGi”. For years, Karin could be found every morning at the family table of Wells Brothers with Guy, Tony & Dorothy, and Babe & Bob, where they shared a meal and played countless games of Cribbage. They are now all back together again at the table in Heaven.

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Paula & Jim Huck; grandchildren, Ashley (JR) Kizewic and Megan (Tim) Rachal; great-grandchildren, Lucca Rachal; Tess, Bre & Brooke Kizewic; nieces and nephews, Maribeth (Mark) Osmundsen, Mike (Lynn) Molinaro, Jan (Lori) Molinaro, Jim Wells, Bob (Jean) Wells, Lynn Wells, Kathy (Steve) Abernethy, Bill (Lisa) Rivers, Tom Rivers, Ann (Mike) Gillis, Theresa (Kevin) Rivers-Meyer and Debbie (Keith) Bradley; devoted caregiver, DeDee Ivanova; other dear relatives and friends –too numerous to mention all by name.

In addition to her parents, Karin was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Guy, on September 18, 2015; dear daughter, Marsha Wells; brother-in-law, Anthony “Tony” (Dorothy) Wells; sisters-in-law, Carolyn (Gene) Molinaro and Florence “Babe” (Robert) Rivers; beloved nephew, Gary Rivers; niece, Connie Rivers; special cousin, Beverly Laycock; and by Guy’s parents, James and Rose (nee: DeMark) Wells.

Funeral services celebrating Karen’s life will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 10:00 am with Deacon Eloy Contreras officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum. A reception will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 – 10:00 am.

Karin’s love of animals was woven into so many of her happiest days. Sharing her curiosity and compassion with her children and grandchildren brought her great joy, and her passion became a lasting thread in the fabric of their family. The Omaha Zoo held special meaning – a place that reflected this passion and continues to be a part of her family’s story. Additionally, Karin cherished her family. In 2020, when her granddaughter faced breast cancer, she was deeply grateful for the support provided through Comforting Hands – Aurora, which helped ensure she received the care and strength needed during that difficult time. Thus, in lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to the Omaha Zoo Foundation or Comforting Hands – Aurora, in gratitude for all they have brought to Karin’s deepest love, her family.

A heartfelt note of thanks to the entire staff at Shorelight Memory Support (especially Lydia, Kavitha, Kiera, Jennifer, Carly and so many more), St. Croix Hospice (especially Tammy, Danielle, Kathy & Kimberly) and to Deacon Eloy Contreras for the compassionate care & support given in Karin’s time of need. May God bless all of you!