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Karen Aldinger

Karen Ann Aldinger Age 80, died peacefully in her own home, surrounded by her family, on Dec. 13, 2024, at the age of 80. Karen was born in Appleton on Jan. 27, 1944, to Jack and Helida (Christianson) Esler. She was preceded in death by her husband: Karl, her parents, her brother: Paul Esler, and her sister-in-law: Valerie Esler. Karen majored in sociology at St. Norbert College in De Pere and earned her master’s degree in counseling from UW-Milwaukee.  In November 1977, she married Karl Dean Aldinger. They have five children: Mitchell Aldinger (Sarah), Andy Aldinger, Ames Aldinger, Paul Aldinger, and Berit Stevens (Noel). Karen and Karl have four grandchildren: Porter and Jakob (Ames), Aiden (Mitchell), and Eleanor (Berit). She is survived by her sister: Mary Ann Esler, her brother: John Esler, one nephew: David Esler and two nieces: Rebecca Esler and Sarah Esler Pearsall. After earning her masters, she worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Wisconsin Rapids. Throughout her life she held numerous leadership positions: president and longtime volunteer for Operation Bootstrap in Stevens Point and coordinator of Holiday Basket in Portage County. As an elected member of the Stevens Point City Council, she served on the city planning commission, she was also active in the Boys and Girls Club and a former board member. In her earlier years, she enjoyed traveling with her daughter Berit to South America, Mexico, Canada, and other places in the United States. They hitchhiked, camped, and even stayed overnight in the gymnasium of a YWCA. Karen was crafty. She loved to sew and had an annual tradition of making Christmas outfits for her daughter, two nieces and nephew every year. She later quilted and did basket making. She also loved to read and enjoyed her book discussion group.  Karen was happiest at home in her garden or walking in the woods along the Plover River with her dogs. She would often say that the woods were her church. She also loved skiing, biking, hiking in the hills of Montserrat, kayaking, canoeing and basically any outdoor activity. Her love of travel took her around the world where she experienced and enjoyed a multitude of different cultures. She loved all animals and had a menagerie of critters throughout her life. From a young age she was constantly moving and talking, never failing to make her friends and family laugh with her quick wit and keen humor. Not only was she funny, she loved to connect with others through deep and heartfelt conversations. Her favorite part of campaigning for the city council was going door to door and talking with people and listening to their thoughts and stories. She was a political junkie and said she wanted ‘Born a Democrat and died a Democrat’ on her gravestone. She had great concern and compassion for people who were struggling. She wanted to be on the front line, in the trenches, close to people who needed help with the basics. That’s the kind of woman she was, a generous philanthropist, whose kindness knew no bounds. A Celebration of Life for Karen will be held from 1-3 p.m. at Pisarski Funeral Home, 703 Second St., Stevens Point, on Sunday, Jan. 19. The family will conclude the gathering time with a sharing of memories of Karen. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.