Karene Kay Eales

Karene Kay Eales, known affectionately as Rene, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by her loving family in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. A cherished aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt, and friend, her vibrant presence and warm spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Born on June 14, 1943, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to Loyd and Martha (Skeeba) Eales, Karene grew up on and near Pewaukee Lake alongside her siblings Wally, Kenny, Sharon, and Bobby, having lost her sister Violet in infancy. She often recalled carefree days of swimming, fishing, and boating on the lake, as well as inventing games with siblings, cousins, and neighborhood children. Her lifelong love of animals began in those early years; she and her inseparable brother Bobby shared adventures with a pair of ducks that would make their way to the lake for morning swims, parakeets that met an untimely end, and their beloved first dog, a protective collie named Queenie.

Karene attended Pewaukee schools, where her passion for sports blossomed. A gifted athlete, she excelled despite the limited opportunities for girls at the time, participating in the Girls Athletic Association, which she wryly referred to as “glorified intramurals.” After graduating from Pewaukee High School in 1961, she channeled her competitive drive into softball, becoming a standout pitcher and shortstop, and into bowling, where she achieved national ranking and traveled extensively with close friends like Max and Carol. In 1987, she was inducted into the Waukesha Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame. She also enjoyed golf, bocce ball, bags, and horseshoes—always keeping score—and found simple pleasure in playing cards, listening to music, singing along with every lyric, and sharing a beer or brandy old-fashioned with olives among her favorite people.

Karene dedicated more than 40 years of her career to Waukesha Engine, where she valued her coworkers, but she embraced retirement with even greater joy. In her later years, she found deep fulfillment in caring for her beloved great-nieces McKenna, Ashlynn, and Teagan, and she followed the activities of all her nieces and nephews with immense pride and enthusiasm. Though she never married or had children of her own, she remained an integral, loving presence in her extended family. Her spunky, sassy, and kind-hearted nature left an indelible mark on everyone she touched.