Karen Greene

Karen Greene ( Raflik),60, of Merrill, WI, passed away on October 2, 2021, after a heroic battle with metastatic breast cancer. She passed away at home surrounded by immediate family.

Karen was born on September 19, 1961 to Ray and Alice (nee Richter) Raflik in Stevens Point. After graduating from St. Mary's Academy in 1979, she went on to study communications at Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI). Karen continued to work at Marquette University for 27 years until her retirement in 2017.

Karen dedicated her life to being a wonderful mother and fantastic wife. In 2014, she met Richard Greene, and they wed in 2017 in Milwaukee, WI. After Richard and Karen retired they moved to Merrill, WI to their retirement home. Karen excelled at supporting family members through the many passions and difficulties of their lives, making it her mission to improve the lives of others. She also served as the family communicator, keeping their large family of seven brothers and sisters in touch. Her greatest passion was supporting her parents, children, grandchildren and brothers and sisters.

Karen was a passionate polka dancer, and when she wasn't filling her home with kindness and faith, she could be found on the dance floor at various polka festivals and church festivals. Karen taught polka lessons at the Milwaukee Polish Fest in Milwaukee, WI. She was also crowned Wisconsin Polka Booster Queen twice consecutively in 2007 and 2008. Further, Karen participated in Polka Dancing with the Stars held at the Schauer Arts Center in Hartford, WI and at the Grand Theater in Wausau, WI.

Karen was a passionate advocate for natural healing treatments, and shared her knowledge and information with anyone who was interested. When diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2001, Karen bravely chose to treat her cancer with a holistic approach. She continued to support friends and family by helping them find holistic approaches that worked for them. Karen continued holistic measures alongside traditional cancer treatment when diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2018. These measures along with her strong faith in God allowed years of memories, holidays and family gatherings.

We will miss her greatly.

Karen is survived by her parents Ray and Alice, husband Richard, children Brent and Courtney (Tillman Edwards Sr.), grandchildren Tillman Jr, Caelynn, Caleigh, Tyler and Miriana, and siblings William Raflik, Donald Raflik (Kari), Loretta (James Lisowski), Jeanine (John Campbell), Steven Raflik (Kara), and Christine (Mark Pollnow) and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Karen will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday October 6, 2021, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church Millcreek. Rev. Packi will officiate. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Visitation on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Pisarski Funeral Home 703 Second Street Stevens Point with a rosary concluding the visitation at 7:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of mass at the church.

Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com