Karen L. Vercouteren, formerly of Cleveland, WI and West Chicago, IL, passed away Friday, November 14, 2025, at Lakehouse in Sheboygan with her family by her side. She was 89 years old.
Karen was born June 25, 1936, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Harry and Emma (Nelson) Rigenhagen. After graduating high school, she went on to study Elementary Education at Trinity College in Illinois. Karen impacted countless lives as a teacher at schools in Illinois.
On June 17, 1960, she was united in marriage with James H Vercouteren at Sheboygan eFree Church. The couple celebrated nearly 64 years together before his passing in 2024.
A member of Sheboygan eFree Church, Karen taught Sunday school, volunteered, participated in Bible Studies, and looked forward to setting and decorating the tables for Christmas tea. A skilled musician, she loved singing at church, and she was often the organist or pianist for the choirs James directed. She possessed perfect pitch, enabling her to tune instruments by ear with unfailing accuracy.
She enjoyed sewing, doing puzzle books, reading, cardinals and hummingbirds, planting beautiful flowers, and adding to her collections of bells and Willow Tree figurines.
Her home and her heart were always open, making everyone feel they belonged. She was “mom” to many children beyond her own, could get along with everyone, and went out of her way to welcome and befriend her children’s in-laws. Her genuine kindness naturally made those around her comfortable. She was a woman of deep faith; prayer was an unspoken reflex of her heart that came effortlessly. She was selfless, creative, and full of an endless love that she shared with her family.
Karen is survived by her children: Ellen (Robert) Oldenburg of Manitowoc, Timothy James (Deborah) Vercouteren of Lynchburg, VA, and Brett (Julie) Vercouteren of Gilberts, IL. She is further survived by nine grandchildren: Jean (Barry) Garner-Steel, Danielle Chaplin, Matthew Hubbard; and James Jefferson, and Ian Vercouteren, Emma (David) Moreno, Joshua, Rebecca and Katherine Vercouteren; great-grandchildren Eleanor, Oliver, Alex, Ashley, Jacob and Lilah; sisters-in-law Beth Vercouteren and Kay (Jon) Malson; other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband James, parents Harry and Emma Rigenhagen, son-in-law Danny Hubbard, grandson Nathaniel Austin Hubbard, sister La Vella (Harold) Kohloff and brother Richard (Ruth) Rigenhagen.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Sheboygan eFree Church, 1710 N. 15th St in Sheboygan with Pastor Jon MacDonald officiating. The family will receive visitors at the church on Saturday from 10:00AM-12:00 noon. She will be laid to rest beside James at Lutheran Cemetery in Sheboygan
A livestream of the service can be viewed on Karen’s obituary page on wenigfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Sheboygan eFree Church and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Sharon S. Richardson and Lakehouse Community for their compassionate and loving care.
Wenig Funeral Home – Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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