Karen M. “Mickey”
Tilden, age 80, passed away at home on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, with her
family by her side.
She was born on
Nov. 6, 1939.
Karen married her
high school sweetheart, George “Eddie” Tilden, on June 18, 1961.
She graduated from
Chesterton High School in 1957, in Chesterton, Ind. After high school, Karen
received her B.A. from Michigan State University majoring in Communications.
In 1961, Karen began traveling worldwide with George, who had joined the
U.S. Army as a second lieutenant, to include living in Portugal and Germany.
Karen, never one to
sit still, worked and volunteered at various organizations throughout the
numerous moves while being a military wife and pursued her love of teaching
in Germany and Illinois. During one of Karen and George's state side tours,
their daughter, Shawn Alison was born at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Upon
retirement, Karen and George moved to Madison to be closer to their daughter
and her family.
Karen is known for
her dedication to all that she did in life, whether personal or work
related. Her passionate and compassionate personality helped her maintain
the home front throughout the various moves required while in the military
system. Her great sense of humor and dedication to all shone through in her
abilities to move households over 22 times, take care of her daughter, work
and volunteer even during the times George was away for three overseas tours
to Korea and Vietnam. As a mom, grandma, great-grandma and aunt, she always
made all feel special and loved.
Karen is survived
by her daughter, Shawn (Bill) Frederickson; grandson, Billy (Ashley)
Frederickson, two great-grandchildren, Emma and William; sister, Judy Ott;
brother-in-law, Jim (Bonnie) Tilden; sister-in-law, Kathy (Dick) Mills; and
many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in
death by her husband, George Tilden; and her parents.
A celebration of
life will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona
Drive, Madison, WI, from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2019.