Karen E. McClellan

Karen E. McClellan, 87, who died at Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa on Monday, Nov. 25, was a woman of her time.

Mrs. McClellan was born on Aug. 23, 1937, in Gary, Ind., the daughter of Andrew and Ellen Kokko Luttinen.

She graduated from Tolleston High School in Gary, then attended Valpariso University in Indiana for a year, studying physical education. She left after a year to marry Fredric Ziehm, who she met there.

The couple married in 1958 and moved to Milwaukee and later Grafton, where their children Steve and Jill graduated from high school.

After they divorced in 1985, Mrs. McClellan went to work for Cruise Planners in Brown Deer, indulging her love of travel while helping others plan their own trips.

She met and married Max McClellan of Cedarburg on Jan. 10, 1987. The couple later moved to Nashville, Tenn., and Jacksonville, Fla., before returning to Wisconsin to be closer to family. They lived in Sheboygan Falls, Kohler and Cedar Grove before settling in Sheboygan.

Mrs. McClellan was a sales representative for several specialty retail boutiques, where she excelled with her extroverted personality. She concluded her career at Wisconsin Trader in Kohler, retiring in 2006.

Mrs. McClellan had a flair for style. She never left the house in an outfit that wasn’t fashionable. She wouldn’t leave without wearing at least lipstick and with her hair done.

She was equally talented at putting together a room, finding stylish touches that turned a house into a home, and at styling her garden and the many flowers she grew.

Mrs. McClellan loved Wisconsin’s professional sports teams, and she adored animals, especially dogs, and until the last several years always had a pet dog.

She was active, working out at local gyms and clubs for years, and after she moved to Pine Haven Christian Communities in Sheboygan Falls in 2021 she participated in every activity offered. She was a social butterfly, always on the go, and she brought joy to all those around her.

Mrs. McClellan is survived by her daughter Jill Ziehm of Sheboygan, daughter-in-law Kris Halbig Ziehm of Port Washington, granddaughter Nicole Ziehm of Madison and sister and brother-in-law Julie and Jim Tuerff of Franklin, Tenn.

She is further survived by caring nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her son Steve Ziehm in June, her husband Max McClellan in 2019 and former husband Fred Ziehm in 2004.

A celebration of life for Mrs. McClellan is being planned.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association are suggested.

Funeral arrangements are being handled through Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington.