Karen was born October 19, 1943, to the late Lawrence and Elenora (Luckow) Ott. She grew up on a farm in Forest Junction and started her education at Webster School – a one room schoolhouse. She was involved in the 4H club, where she won awards showing calves at the county fair. After graduating from Brillion High School (class of 1961) she moved to Appleton, waitressing at Karras restaurant where she met the love of her life, William LeClair.

She spent her early years at home raising her four children before joining the workforce. Karen worked over 15 years for Copps in the bakery department. After her retirement she enjoyed traveling with her husband and family. She also enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Karen loved to read, do puzzles, take care of her flowers, and most of all, we benefited from her love of cooking and baking. Her favorite time of the year was Christmas, where she tended to spoil everyone.

Karen is survived by her husband, William of 62 years; children: Michael (Kathy) LeClair, Dan (Kathy) LeClair, Kristine LeClair and Jennifer (Kevin) Colden; grandchildren: Erin (Jared) Verdoorn, Erich (Kelly) LeClair, Alex (Laura) LeClair, Courtney (Nick) Marks, Madison (Ethan) Ponce, Miles Colden and Macy Colden; great grandchildren: Cooper & Cole Verdoorn; Henry & Brady LeClair; Tenley, Teagen, & Taysom Marks; Charlotte Ponce and Everett & Whitley Bentle;

sister, brother, and sisters-in-law: Genevieve Reichardt, Wendal (Patsy) Ott, Bonnie LeClair, Sandy LeClair and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Lawrence & Elenora (Luckow) Ott; siblings: LaVerne (Ruben) Habeck; JoAnn (Elmo) Cassidy; Casey Reichardt; Terry Reichardt; Bill's parents: August & MaryAnn (Brautigam) LeClair; Bill's siblings: Lawrence LeClair; Mary (Gerry) Goehler; Donald (Phyllis) LeClair; David LeClair; Roger LeClair.

A Memorial Service for Karen will be held at 11 AM, on Friday, June12, 2026 at Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel. Visitation will begin at 9 AM and she will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Appleton.

A special thank you to all the people that helped take care of her the last year and a half: ThedaCare, Cornerstone, Visiting Angels, St. Paul Rehabilitation, Brewster Village, GreenTree Nursing Home, Frontida Memory Care, and Compassus. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established to Karen's favorite charity.