Karmen Kay Jones

For 15 months, she carried her cross with incredible strength and grace. God helped Karmen Jones lay down her burdens on August 1, 2021 as she was welcomed to heaven with a loving embrace.

She was born Karmen Kay Kronschnabel on September 13, 1961 in San Diego, California to Peter Kronschnabel and Shirley (Hughes Kronschnabel) Collar. Those who were blessed to share this world with Karmen were witness to her compassion, acceptance, determination, patience, love, and gratitude for a life well-lived. She was a joyful, green-thumbed gardener, gourmet chef, and creative crafter who crocheted wedding and baby afghan gifts gratefully cuddled by many.

She considered her greatest accomplishment raising her bright, beautiful daughter, Jessica. Jessica and her husband, Mike, brought Karmen’s grandson, James, into her life and he delighted her with every moment of the three and a half years they spent together learning, playing, and loving each other. Her adopted canine companions were the luckiest, most-loved pups on earth.

Karmen devoted nearly 40 years to United Steel Workers local 2-482, enthusiastically supporting her union brothers and sisters on the plant floor and in several leadership roles: Steward, Area Vice President, and Recording Secretary. She retired from Kimberly-Clark in 2021 after nearly four decades of exemplifying admirable accountability and strong work ethic. Karmen was very proud of her involvement with the Fox Valley Area Labor Council and Women of Steel, leading and collaborating on
projects including Coats for Kids, collection drives for food, toys, school supplies, and hygiene products. Boundless was her energy for turning her compassion into action to lift others out of difficulty. Karmen dedicated many hours to serving her community through her role on the Town of Harrison Board.

Among those who will miss Karmen’s sense of humor, humility, and appreciation of each and every day are her daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and Mike Sherman; her grandsons, James, and a second blessing expected in November; her mother, Shirley Collar; her sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Jeff Pierre; her brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Kristi Kronschnabel; her dear friend, former husband, and father to Jessica, Larry Jones; many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The souls greeting Karmen in heaven include her father, Peter Kronschnabel; in-laws, Rhoda and Bill Jones, maternal grandparents, Cliff and Nellie (DeBruin) Hughes; paternal grandparents, Clarence and Dorothy (Huhn) Kronschnabel as well as beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Her family is deeply grateful for the professionals who skillfully, compassionately did all they could to help Karmen through the trials of pancreatic cancer: at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwautosa, Dr. Douglas Evans, PA Gabby, Dr. Beth Erickson, and all their caring staff; from Moments Hospice, Nina, Kelsi, Ashley, and Kim.

A celebration of Karmen’s life will take place the weekend preceding her 60 th birthday at Wittmann Park on Saturday, September 11th beginning with prayer and reflection at 11:00am, followed by a meal and all the fun Karmen wanted the gathering to be. All are welcome. To honor her memory, with Karmen's care and active support of her community in mind, please consider whatever call to action moves you...perhaps donating blood or sharing time, talent, treasure with those
in need.