Karen Ruth Ashley

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV84)

On Sunday, October 9, 2022, the Lord Jesus, our only Savior from sin and death, gently gathered to himself the soul of 71 year old Karen Ruth Ashley just three weeks after being diagnosed with bone, brain, and lung cancer.

Karen was born in 1951 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Columbus, Wisconsin to Donald and Marie Ashley. She was baptized into Christ and confirmed in her Christian faith at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Fall River, Wisconsin. She graduated as Salutatorian of her class from Fall River High School in 1969. Karen earned an Associate Degree in Data Processing from Madison Area Technical College (MATC), where she was named to the Honor Roll in her first semester. After her graduation, Karen was employed full time by MATC in a data processing position. While working in various computer-related jobs, she enjoyed an active career in sports officiating for nearly 40 years; participated in various community sports teams including volleyball, basketball, and softball; and actively followed all Wisconsin sports teams: the Brewers, Packers, Bucks, and Badgers.

Karen enjoyed singing and acting and was an active member of the MATC’s New College Singers. Her musical interests also found her on stage performing in various musical productions for Sun Prairie Civic Theatre, Madison Theatre Guild, and Beaver Dam Community Theatre. Her love of music often included singing with her husband and other family members for various family celebrations and church events. Karen also had a passion for baking and decorating delicious cakes in celebration of family events, especially her grandchildren’s birthdays.

While preforming in the New College Singers, Karen met Newton Trimmer. They were joined in holy matrimony on October 10, 1980 in Madison, Wisconsin. Karen was the beloved wife of Pastor Newton Trimmer for just 23-minutes short of 42 years; the devoted mother of Aaron J. Trimmer and wife Jennifer, Noah D. Trimmer and wife Brittany, and Rachel M. (Trimmer) Brohn and husband Jacob, and loving grandmother of Alexandra, Elizabeth, Levi, Silas, Miriam, Emma, Joel, and Alice. Additionally, she was the caring sister of Susan D. Ashley and husband James, Mark J. Ashley and wife Dawn. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald J. Ashley and Marie (Kohls) Ashley, her older brother David J. Ashley and his wife Diane (Voss) Ashley. She is survived by many other family and friends.

Family and friends will honor and celebrate Karen's life with a gathering at Atonement Lutheran Church (WELS), 9121 Old Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234 on Wednesday, December 28th from 10-11 AM with a service starting at 11 AM. Luncheon to follow. An additional gathering will be held at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 221 North Main Street, Fall River, WI 53932 on Sunday, May 28th from 11:30-1 PM with a service starting at 1 PM. Inurnment and luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to: Atonement Lutheran Church (WELS), where Karen, alongside her loving husband, faithfully worshiped and served her Savior.

Online donations will be accepted at  https://gofund.me/86d252d0 or https://atonementbaltimore.com/

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