Karen M. Ward

  Karen M. Ward, age 58, died Thursday, March10, 2011 at home following a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born November 3, 1952, in Madison, the daughter of Monroe and Dorothy (Krantzer) Wood.  Karen had been employed by Interim Home Health and Maxim Home Health as an LPN.  She was a member of Sun Prairie United Methodist Church.  Karen was a veteran of the US Army  where she served as a Medic.  She loved country music, the Badgers, Packers, Nascar and most of all, loving and caring for her grandchildren.  Karen and Steve raised several foster children.  On August 2, 1974, Karen was united in marriage with Steven Ward in Belton, TX.   In addition to her husband Steven, survivors include 3 daughters: Melissa (Gary) Kleven and Amy (Nick) Annen both of Sun Prairie and Sarah (Bryan) Nicoll of Arlington, WI; a son Specialist 4th Class Austin Lytle of Ft. Hood, TX; 7 grandchildren: Natalie and Grace Klevin; Kayley and Trevor Meissner and Preston and Logan Nicoll and Sawyer Annen; her mother Dorothy Wood of Stoughton; 2 sisters: Kathy Wood of Cottage Grove and Lori (Tom) Olson of Stoughton.  She was preceded in death by her father and a brother Steven.  Services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, March 12 at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME where friends may call from 11:00 am until time of service.  Reverend Susan Bresser will officiate and burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens where military honors will be accorded by the Madison Veteran's Firing Squad.  Steve, Melissa, Amy & Sarah would like to thank HospiceCare, Dr. Coert, Dr. Hei, Sun Prairie Health Care Center, Emma Wilken, Waunakee Senior Center, Roc-A-Bye, Pastor Susan, Dennis & Francine and Candy Wood for their care.   In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Karen Marie Ward Benefit c/o Associated Bank.                                                 Cress Funeral & Cremation Service                                                             1310 Emerald Terrace                                                        Sun Prairie (608) 837-9054