Karen Ann (Bougie) Brown, age 85, passed away from pulmonary arterial hypertension on October 30, 2026. She was born at home in rural De Pere, the youngest of 7 children, on April 8, 1941, to Louis and Colette Verhasselt Bougie. She graduated from St. Joseph Grade School, De Pere, Freedom High School, Outagamie County Teachers College, UW-Oshkosh with a degree in elementary education, and Loyola University with a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry.

On August 6, 1964, she married Ray Brown at St. Joseph church, De Pere. Little did she realize how very important he would be to her life. He was her best friend, mentor, partner in many adult education ventures, travel companion, co-camper, and above all the best father to their 3 daughters, Peggy (Mike) Wood, Sally (Todd) Robertson, and Judy (Sue) Koeune-Brown. More recently, Ray embraced the role of caregiver, chief cook, housekeeper, and host to many guests.

Over the years, Karen was an avid volunteer in religious education and adult education at St. Joseph, De Pere and Immaculate Conception, Oneida. When Judy was in 7th grade, she returned to the workforce and was the Director of Religious Education at St. Boniface, De Pere, and then Associate Director of RENEW for the Green Bay Catholic Diocese. She then became a consultant in the Diocese for the religion division of Silver Burdett Ginn publishing company. After retiring, Karen and Ray volunteered as campground hosts for 23 years at Peninsula State Park. They traveled every year throughout the United States with their camper.

Karen loved to knit, crochet, sew, play cards, and read. She and Ray led faith-sharing groups for most of their 62 years of marriage, which was a highlight for her every year. Her beloved Book Club still meets to this day. Karen had a gift for relationships. She was easily approachable and interested in everyone she met. Not only did she form relationships easily, but she fostered and maintained them, from her childhood friends to her college friend Karen Reeck, to everyone she met while campground hosting and traveling to her most recent friends in her apartment complex. Karen took walking in the footsteps of Jesus very seriously, and it was obvious to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Above all, she loved spending time with her family, each of whom she knit or crocheted at least one afghan, along with sweaters and toys. No one was ever cold in Karen’s family!

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her so much joy. Becky (Alex) Couch and Asher and Levi; Dallas (Allyssa) Wood (baby due in January); Sam Wood; Isaiah Robertson; Danielle (Jordan) Patterson and Wilhelmina and Elaina; Isabelle (Jason) Schreihart; Jordan (Matt) Leider and Samuel and Annalyn. Karen is further survived by her sister, Donna (Ed) Geurts; sister-in-law, Verna Brown; 2 brothers-in-law, Dale (Lavone) Brown and Roy Brown.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, 5 siblings, Marvin (Joyce) Bougie, Louis J. Bougie, Joy Bougie, Nancy Bougie and John (Pat) Bougie, her in-laws Elmer and Bernice Brown, sister-in-law, Sandy Brown and brother-in-law Dave Brown.

Friends may call at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1305 Lourdes Ave., De Pere, Friday, November 6, 2026, from 8:00 AM – 10:45 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM with Fr. James Baraniak O.Praem. officiating. Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers and plants, the family asks for memorials to be given to the Blaise J. Peters Scholarship Fund for Our Lady of Lourdes School.

Karen’s family would like to give thanks to Dr. Manar Al Shahowri and Samantha Selitz, NP, from Bellin Pulmonary, for their kindness, concern, care, and medical expertise, and for Unity Hospice and all those who serve in Heaven's Waiting Room.