Karen M. Yenchesky, 68, Wallace, MI, suffered a sudden heart attack and died unexpectedly Wednesday, December 16, 2009. Karen was born July 22, 1941 in Marinette, WI, a daughter of the late Robert E. and Pauline (Erickson) Mittag. On July 31, 1970 she married Richard V. Yenchesky in Marion, WI. Karen was an elementary and middle school teacher and among her professional accomplishments were her reading units that focused on the holocaust. This in turn, garnered multiple prestigious invitations to the National Holocaust Museum located in Washington D.C. Her love of teaching spanned more than three decades and touched the lives of many children. She retired from the Howard-Suamico School District. Karen's family was her life. Her legacy resided in her devotion to her husband, children and grandchildren. Karen's pride was rooted in her family's accomplishments scholastically, professionally, socially, and personally. She was always there, right beside them. Karen was a caregiver to many, most recently for many years to her father, Robert. She loved him dearly and took care of him like no one else making daily trips to be by his side. Karen's love reached beyond her immediate family - Karen was known to be there for anyone who needed help. Her sense of humor and constant smile warmed people's hearts and invited them in for many social gatherings including: birthday parties, large group breakfasts, summer barbeques and so on. She was the first to offer her home to family and friends. Her love for entertaining and travel typically coincided with spending it with family. This great love of travel combined with her grand generosity allowed so many others including her parents, sister, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and close friends to see things and travel to places they never would have. Karen is survived by her husband Richard V. Yenchesky former Superintendent of De Pere Public School, Wallace, MI; daughter Jaci (Jim) Larsen, Sobieski, WI; two sons Richard E. Yenchesky, Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Dr. Chad V. Yenchesky, De Pere, WI; three grandchildren Andre Larsen, Austin Larsen, and Isla Rose Yenchesky; her siblings Carole (Steve) England and Robert J (Patricia) Mittag; and her mother-in-law Dorothy Yenchesky. She is further survived by her brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws James (Betty) Yenchesky, Jane Perkins, Roy (Sandy) Yenchesky, and Faye Yenchesky; her godchildren Stephanie England and Bill England; longtime friend Louis Seidl; friend and in-law Grace Leverenz; and other family and friends. Karen was preceded in death by her parents Robert E., who parted November 2009 and Pauline Mittag; sister Patricia A. Mittag; father-in-law Valentine Yenchesky; and relative Jack Leverenz, who recently parted in October 2009. Visitation for Karen will be Sunday, December 20, 2009 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 305 N. Tenth St, De Pere, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Monday, December 21, 2009 at First United Presbyterian Church, 605 N. Webster Ave, De Pere from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Funeral service will be at church at 11:00 AM with Reverend Doctor Ted Tromble, officiating. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Yenchesky family. In lieu of flowers, because Karen was a breast cancer survivor, memorials are appreciated to the Green Bay Area American Cancer Society, 3311 S. Packerland Dr, De Pere, WI 54115. The Yenchesky family would like to thank family friends Pete Granquist, Cherie Schultz, Tina Stuiber, and Louis Seidl for being our ROCKS during this very difficult time.