Karen L Seelow

Karen Lee (Mahnke) Seelow, age 80, of Fort Gratiot Township, Michigan, was called to everlasting life in Heaven, by her Loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at McLaren

Hospital Port Huron, Michigan.

Karen was born on August 6, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Pastor Jonathan H. and Lydia Ann (Pickron) Mahnke. She became a Child of God when she was baptized in the name of the Holy Triune God on August 16, 1942, at Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by her father Pastor Jonathan H. Mahnke. Karen attended Christian Day School at Mt. Lebanon Lutheran School and was confirmed in the faith, in June of 1956, by her father.

Karen attended and graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was here that Karen met her high school classmate, who eventually became her high school sweetheart and future husband, John F. Seelow. Both Karen and John graduated in 1960.

After high school, Karen attended the newly formed Milwaukee Lutheran Teachers College which at that time held their classes at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. After attending one semester of college, Karen decided to enter Beauty College, and graduated as a licensed cosmetologist.

On April 27, 1962, Karen was united in a Christian marriage with the late John F. Seelow at Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Karen’s father officiated the Christian wedding ceremony. God was gracious and blessed John and Karen’s union with 52 ½ years of marriage and four loving daughters.

Karen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her daughters as they grew up and throughout their lives. During her early years as a stay-at-home mom, Karen loved to cook, bake, sew and use her skills as a cosmetologist. She and her daughters also enjoyed shopping, visiting friends and family, swimming and going to the movies.

Karen was an accomplished pianist and loved to play the piano for her family at home. She enjoyed traveling, walking, dancing and spending time with family and friends. She loved Elvis, had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to laugh, and she loved flowers.

Karen had a strong faith in the Holy Triune God, and although she deeply loved her husband and family, she always loved Jesus more and looked forward to seeing her Savior face to face in Heaven. While living in Fort Gratiot Township, Karen had been attending worship services at Colonial Woods Missionary Church in Port Huron, Michigan.

In the summer of 1982, the Lord gave Karen the support, strength and courage to enter and successfully complete, an in-patient alcohol rehab program for her alcoholism. A few months after Karen successfully completed her alcohol rehab program, her husband John received and accepted a job promotion, which led John, Karen and their two youngest daughters to relocate to Michigan.

Karen joined a support group in Michigan affiliated with “Women for Sobriety.” She later became a mentor/leader in the group for many years, supporting and encouraging other members struggling on their own journeys to maintain recovery and sobriety. After her involvement with “Women for Sobriety” ended, Karen continued using her God given gift for the rest of her life by being a role model to both family and friends and encouraging those she knew struggling with addiction. With the Lord’s help, Karen was able to maintain her own recovery and sobriety for 40 consecutive years, from 1982 until the end of her earthly life.

Karen worked various jobs throughout her life. She was a Cosmetologist, a Weight Watchers receptionist, a successful Avon representative, and later became an Independent Reliv distributor. While working as an Independent Reliv distributor, she was blessed to become an Independent 3 Star Key Director for Reliv and was an active business member of the Blue Water Chapter for Business Networking International. (BNI)

Karen was also a two-time breast cancer survivor and gave all credit and glory to the Almighty Triune God, for her survival.

Karen is survived by a large, loving family: her four daughters and two sons-in-law, Kim McKenney of Fort Atkinson, WI, Kris (John) Jenswold of East Troy, WI, Kathy Turk of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Kay (Steven) Dekett of Linden, MI; two brothers and their wives, Pastor Jon (Myrna) Mahnke of Round Rock, TX and

Pastor Kurt (Dana) Mahnke of Appleton, WI; two brothers-in-law and their wives, Pastor James (Patricia) Seelow of Houghton Lake, MI and Pastor Jeffrey (Peggy) Seelow of Rice Lake, WI; fifteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; former son-in-law, John Turk; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Karen was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Seelow; son-in-law, Pastor Kevin P. McKenney, Sr.; four grandchildren through miscarriages; her parents; infant sister Barbara Ann; her parents-in-law John G. and Paula Seelow; and sister-in-law Patricia (Seelow) Vraney.

A brief outdoor Christian graveside service, committal, and burial is scheduled to take place at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, located at 4001 S. 68th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday, March 18, 2023 beginning at 1:30 PM. Karen’s earthly remains will be laid to rest beside her loving husband, John. Karen’s brother, Pastor Kurt Mahnke will officiate.

Following the graveside service, a light lunch and fellowship time will be held inside the Community Room of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to Pollock-Randall Funeral Home in Port Huron, Michigan for their assistance, understanding, patience and help with the arrangements, St. John’s Lutheran Church and Cemetery for all their wonderful help with the coordination of the burial and the usage of their Community room, and the pastors at Colonial Woods Missionary Church in Port Huron, MI.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in Karen’s memory may donate to a charity of their choice, the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.