Karen Lee (Schmidt) Flynn
Karen Lee (Schmidt) Flynn
On Oct. 31, 2025, Karen Lee (Schmidt) Flynn, 80, of Christie, WI, passed peacefully from this world and was greeted in heaven with open arms after a year-and-a-half battle with cancer. Her most honored roles in life included wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and outdoorswoman.
Karen was born April 15, 1945, to Romuald and Maxine Schmidt. She grew up on a farm on Highway 73 outside of Neillsville, WI, and held fond memories of swimming in the creek, riding her pony in the pasture, playing cowboys and Indians and sneaking off to read her books to avoid doing the dishes. At age 15, her father passed away, and she helped her mother care for her seven younger siblings.
After graduating from Neillsville High School in 1963, Karen completed beauty school and shortly after met the love of her life, Thomas Flynn. Tom and Karen were united in marriage Jan. 15, 1965.
They moved to California and then settled in Belton, MO, during their early years of marriage. Together, they had two daughters, Kelly and Becky Flynn. While in Missouri, Karen worked as a hairdresser. This allowed her to do one of the things she was best at, visiting with people. When reflecting on her early 20s, Karen often spoke about the importance of perseverance in both marriage and finances. This time in Tom and Karen’s life wasn’t easy and it wasn’t simple. It was loyalty, family and determination that brought them through the most difficult of times.
In 1975, they moved back to Chili, WI, and later settled in Christie for the hunting, fishing, family and lack of snakes. Karen continued her career in hair while spending much of her free time caring for their animals and taking her daughters to horse shows around the state. She made countless memories deer hunting, often being one of the only women in the woods. She’d be the first to admit she wasn’t the best shot, but her perseverance shone through—if she fired enough bullets, she’d eventually knock a couple deer down. Most notably is the buck she shot through the horn that she hung her braziers on to dry in the laundry room for decades to come. Karen also loved bear hunting, grouse hunting, four-wheeling and fishing. She was a woman of adventure!
In 1990, Karen joined her husband on the road as a team of owner-operator truck drivers. They proudly hauled jet engines for Boeing and were among the most trusted drivers on the road. While she missed the daily chatter of the salon, this new chapter brought something even more precious: quality time with her husband. She loved the ever-changing scenery, the variety of people she met and the memories they made together. Make no mistake—Karen wasn’t just a pretty face and a fun conversation; she was known for being the best at strapping and tarping a load.
When Tom became too sick to drive in 2009, they both retired from the road. Karen lovingly cared for him until his passing in September 2012. Her next phase of life was filled with coffee visits and breakfasts with friends, rosemaling, planting flowers, watching wildlife, trips to Alaska, cruises with her daughter, Kelly, and thousands of photos taken. She loved cross-country skiing with her best friend, Rosie—always ending the day with a well-earned glass of wine. Nothing about Karen was ever quiet, unless she was in her deer stand. She was a true people person—always visiting, chatting on the phone, writing cards, singing or humming. To know her was to love her, with her genuine joy and quick humor.
Throughout her life, her greatest joy remained her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She gave them idyllic childhood memories: picking apples from the backyard trees, pancake breakfasts with venison in the cast iron, RV and semi-truck trips, rock-hopping on the Black River, four-wheeling, camping and even learning how to process a deer. In recent years, she had the joy of having a full house while living with her daughter, Becky, and her children. A special thank you to her for the exceptional care she provided Karen during her illness. Karen’s legacy will live on in all who loved her for generations to come.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Flynn; her parents; and her brothers, David and Tony Schmidt.
She is survived by her four children, Kelly (Steve) Acheson of Menasha, WI, Becky Flynn of Christie, WI, Jeff (Barb) Flynn of Menomonee Falls, WI, and Steve (Gay) Flynn of Christie, WI; and her siblings, Paul (Sandy) Schmidt, Pete (Janet) Schmidt, Dan (Cathy) Schmidt, Julie (Mike) Fairchild and Mark Schmidt. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Hailey (Jared) Fink, Jacob Debroux, Emma (Dillon) Jurgerson, Jasmin Flynn, Thomas Scharmann, Jessica (Mike) Flaig, Andrea Flynn, Meghan Flynn, Brittany (Mike) Jaskiewicz, Stephanie (Lee) Kaul, Anna Acheson and Steven (Stephanie) Acheson; her great-grandchildren, Valerie and Dawson Fink; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
A private service will be held for immediate family, followed by a celebration of life for friends and extended family on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the American Legion in Neillsville from 1–5 p.m. with food available throughout the afternoon.