Karen Ruth Napruszewski of West Allis, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on March 10, 1942, Karen lived a life rooted in faith, family, compassion, and resilience.

Karen was a beautiful, independent, smart, proud, and incredibly tough woman whose selflessness touched everyone who knew her. She loved her family deeply and would do anything she could for those she cared about. She was the glue that held many together and a steady mediator for the people she loved most.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Theodore Napruszewski; her daughter, Peggy Messling; her first grandchild, Damian Froemming; her brother, Alan Doering; and her parents, William and Evelyn Doering.

She is survived by her son; her sister, Shirley Orth; and her brother, Rick Doering. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Angelique Sormrude, Samantha Rodriguez, and Desiree Martinez. Karen was blessed to witness generations of her family grow and is lovingly remembered by her great-grandchildren: Kassidy, Xavier, Alex, Carmello, Damian, Zeus, Leo, Pierce, and Cyrus.

Karen was a longtime and devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where her faith served as the rock she stood upon throughout her life. The church was not only her place of worship, but also a place where she shared treasured moments with family and lifelong friends. She found great joy in seeing generations of her family baptized, confirmed, and married there. She especially loved the weeks she had decoration and snack duty for coffee hour, always adding her own warm and caring touch.

Karen fulfilled her dream of working in the medical field through her many years of service at the VA Hospital and West Allis Memorial Hospital. She cared deeply for her patients and formed lifelong friendships with many she worked alongside.

Her family will always remember the thoughtful and personal touches she brought to birthdays and family gatherings, especially the way she created special dishes tailored to each grandchild’s favorite meals and baked goods. She had a gift for making everyone feel seen, loved, and important. She was an imperfect human but did the best she could with what she had and she will be remembered for her open heart.

Karen’s final wish was to be home with her beloved cat, Dazy, and “her girls,” and her family is grateful they were able to honor that wish.

To know Karen was to know strength, warmth, resilience, laughter, and a love that made everyone feel like family. She is terribly missed and will forever be loved by all who knew her.

The family warmly welcomes anyone who would like to share a memory, story, or moment spent with Karen

“grandma was everything you could ask for in a person, kind, understanding, funny and someone you could always count on whether it was a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. she was stubborn, fiesty and stood on what she believed in and i wouldn’t be half the woman that i am without her by my side. if there is a heaven i know she has a front row seat, you will be dearly missed and never ever forgotten.” - Kassidy

“The best chef and baker in town. Her pumpkin apple bread and steaming hot casseroles will be missed so very much. The most caring soul, yet feisty and stubborn. Loved her cooking shows and playing free cell. She had a fashion for shoes and purses and they always matched her outfit! Cutest little grammy around. Love you always - Des

“Our guardian angel, our guiding light, she is every good part of us.” - Angel