Karen Heer
August 04, 1951 - October 03, 2017
Obituary
Karen A. Heer, 66, of Platteville, died on Tuesday, October 03, 2017 at Southwest Health Center, Platteville. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 6, 2017 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Deacon Bill Bussan will officiate. Burial will be at Whig Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. Memorials may be made to the Karen Heer Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.
Karen was born on August 4, 1951, the daughter of Calvin J. and Margaret Ann “Peg” (Cox) Weigel. Karen graduated from Platteville High School in 1969. She was united in marriage to Richard Heer on June 13, 1970 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville. Together, Karen and Richard co-owned and operated Heer Oil Company since 1975. Karen enjoyed shopping and going to her children and grandchildren's' sporting events and school activities. Karen was a 4-H leader, a member of the Platteville School Board, Quota Club, Platteville Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture Advisory Board for Platteville High School, and a chair of the Platteville Board of Appeals. Karen also received the Platteville Chamber of Commerce Service Awards in 1993 and 2009.
Karen was a woman with a very caring and giving heart. Born on a farm, she helped care for animals and her siblings. As she grew, that caring spirit grew with her. She remained a caring and loving wife, a wonderful mother, grandmother, sibling, friend and rock for anyone in her life. She always knew just what to do or say for those around her. She embodied selflessness. She gave to those in need and never asked for anything in return. She just simply woke up the next day, wondering who else needed her help.
Karen is survived by her husband of 47 years, Richard; three children, Bryan (Shelly) Heer, Joshua (Shannon) Heer, and Luke (Laura) Burlage; six grandchildren, Garret and Wyatt Heer, Ally and Makenna Stupec, Bennett Heer, and Lia Burlage; one sister, Susan (Dennis) Rusch; five brothers, Steve (Nancy) Weigel, Jim (Suzanne) Weigel, Mark (Rita) Weigel, Tom (Kelli) Weigel, and Tim (Marla Kilburg) Weigel; mother-in-law, Charlotte Heer; brothers-in-law, Jim (Susan) Heer, Mike (Cheryl) Heer, and Larry (Patti) Heer; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Margret “Peg” Weigel; father-in-law, James Heer; and niece, Jennifer Weigel.