News
Karen Allen
May 19, 1935 - September 26, 2024
Karen Elizabeth Allen of Chippewa Falls, WI passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, at The Classic at Hillcrest Greens in Altoona, WI at the age of 89. Karen was born May 19, 1935, the daughter of Clarence H. and Jean E. Hapke in Milwaukee, WI. She graduated from Wauwatosa East High School in 1952 and Carroll University in 1956 and was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority.
On June 30, 1956, Karen married Robert J. Allen at St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, WI -- a union that spanned 68 years. In 1980, they moved their family to Chippewa Falls where Karen continued to be a loving mother to her four children, as well as continuing her participation in garden club activities with the Lake Wissota Garden Club. For more than 40 years, she was an active participant in local and state club activities and was the recipient of the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation Lydia Shaffer Award for Distinctive Achievement and/or Service to the Federation. In addition, Karen was awarded National Garden Club Emeritus status as a Master Flower Show Judge and as a Landscape Design Consultant. Karen also found time to serve on the Board of the historic Cook Rutledge Mansion both as a member and chair. One project Karen was most passionate about at the Mansion was being part of the creation and maintenance of a garden, with the help of members of the Lake Wissota Garden Club, using flowers and plant materials appropriate to the Victorian period of the Mansion. Karen was also a member of Chapter AB International P.E.O. Sisterhood – Chippewa Falls.
Karen was a member of Christ Church Cathedral in Eau Claire serving as a member of the Vestry, Altar Guild and Flower Guild. She enjoyed using her talents as a floral designer to create altar arrangements for Sunday and weekday services. She enjoyed the opportunity to create special arrangements and floral displays for major festival days, particularly Easter and Christmas.
Other activities that Karen found time for included coordinating Fine Art and Craft Shows in the Spring and Fall at Stonewood Village in Brookfield, WI which featured over 50 artists whose original works were juried for quality and appropriateness. She also taught courses in Floral Design and Arranging and worked full-time as an activity director at a retirement community.
With all the things that Karen engaged in, her greatest gift was her love and concern for each member of our family and the traditions she created for all of us. Creating magic at Christmas was one of her incredible gifts. The house reflected how special this season was for Karen with decorations both inside and outside the home, two Christmas trees decorated in two separate themes, floral arrangements, and pine roping inside and out. Karen brought the entire family together over traditional meals for Christmas Eve and Day. Karen’s love for the family showed in the beautiful way she hosted Easter, Thanksgiving, the 4th of July and those traditions will remain strong in our extended family’s memories of Karen.
Karen is survived by her husband Robert, her four children, James (Claudia French) Allen, Christine (Paul) McGinnis. Richard (Lisa) Allen, Elizabeth (David) Hartz, 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and sister Lynne (James) Goheen.
A funeral service will take place at Christ Church Cathedral, 510 South Farwell, Eau Claire, WI on Wednesday October 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM with a visitation one hour prior to the service and lunch to follow. Inurnment will occur at a later date (TBD)
Memorials may be made to Christ Church Cathedral or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.
#ThrowbackThursday to our historic elevator groundbreaking! 
Excerpt from the newsletter:
The Diocese of Eau Claire
Vol. 20 No. 6
June, 1948
The Buffington Home
The Buffington Home at 1500 State Street in Eau Claire is ready for occupancy. After many months spent in overcoming numerous details and much hard work, the building is finally in tip top order. There still remains considerable detail work in the organizing of the Board of Directors and the outlining of policies to be followed.
The clergy who met at the Home on April 15th for a period of inspection and the tea at which an open house was held for members of the Diocesan was held for members of the Diocesan Council for Church Women on May11th brought forth words of approval on the atmosphere of the Home.
The securing of a superintendent for the Home is the major problem confronting us at this time. Due to the particular nature of the Home those who have been serving as Directors feel that the position of superintendent must be held by one who is either a registered nurse or a qualified practical nurse, about 45 or 50 years of age. The job, for "job" it is, is one that calls for the general management of a household with an extremely limited staff to assist in the shores. This is made necessary because of the limited capacity of the home as well as limited finances. She will also have to be a person of tact with the ability to maintain harmony among the members! The preference is of course for a devoted Church woman. We would like someone within the Diocese but if such cannot be found than we shall have to go elsewhere.
Now as for the membership. Our accomodations are such that the rooms which are spacious and comfortable will have to be shared. We are making this venture of faith in a small way and look forward to the time when a new building will replace the present structure and each member will have a private room. Again it is a matter of finanies as only by doubling up can we provide economically and within our means the shelter that is so sorely needed by those without shelter.
We do not at this time expect to make "life contracts" but simply to operate on a monthly rate basis with length of tenure determined by such rules and regulations adopted by the Board. The admission fee will be nominal and the monthly rate will in all probability be fifty dollars.
Qualifications for admission will be seventy years of age and of such physical condition as required by the Director and a physical examination by the Home Physician. The applicant must be an active communicant of the Church in good standing in the Diocese for at least the past five years.
It must be kept in mind however that our ultimate objective is to have a Church Home for elderly people. The Diocese of Eau Claire has inherited a trust and should we be unable to fill the home with members of the Episcopal Church first, even at the time, then the doors will be open to the faithful of other Christian denominations.
Richard James Moen
March 21, 1947 - September 2, 2024
Richard James Moen (Rick) of Eau Claire, WI died of Glioblastoma on September 2, 2024 at age 77. Rick was a gentle, soft-spoken, humble guy. He loved his wife Esther, his circle of close friends, his doggie pets, gardening, motorcycling, Sammy’s pizza, Apple computers, and listening to his 10,000+ song collection on his pride and joy stereo system.
He was a middle and high school math teacher in the Menomonie and Chippewa Falls school districts for 21 years. His wry sense of humor served him well, and he delighted in soliciting eye rolls and groans from his students after a corny joke. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow teachers, especially the Friday social hours at the Fill Inn Station in Chippewa Falls.
After retirement in 2006, Rick shared many cross-country motorcycle trips with his riding buddies, Ron, Harry, Bob, and Dave and day rides for pie or ice cream with Jim and Jean. He was a proud member of the Iron Butt Club, after he and Harry rode 1,000 miles in one day. He achieved Master Gardener status and worked on many community projects. He was a faithful Brewer and Packer fan and spent many hours watching games on TV and attending Brewer Spring training games in Arizona. He and Esther enjoyed 8 sunny retirement years living in Tucson, AZ, returning to Eau Claire in 2022.
Rick is survived by his wife of 45 years – Esther, his sister, Jean Polk and niece Robin Polk.
Thank you to his medical and hospice teams from Mayo Clinic Health System and Dove Healthcare and our wonderful supportive friends who helped us through 9 difficult months.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Eau Claire Community Humane Association, 3900 Old Town Hall Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Dove Healthcare-West Community Room, 1405 Truax Blvd, Eau Claire, WI from 1:00-3:30pm on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 with a program at 3 pm.
Service Schedule
Sunday
Rite II with Eucharist service – 9:00 AM;
In person, Zoom and Facebook live.
Click here to join Sunday morning Zoom service
Holy Days – Eucharist as announced in the Weekly Update
