Karen Gierach

Mrs. Karen Gierach of Port Washington passed away at her home early Friday morning, Oct. 30, 2026. She was 82 years old.

Karen and her twin sister Sharon were born in Salem, S.D., to Edward and Dorothy (nee Feterl) Stiefvater on Feb. 13, 1944, joining siblings Bernadette, Charles, DeWayne and Jerry. An unfortunate accident killed their mother, and Karen and Sharon were sent to live with Nicholas and Josephine Winkel, relatives of Edward, in Knellsville.

Karen was a graduate of Port Washington High School, Class of 1961. 

On Sept. 21, 1963, she was united in marriage with Roger Gierach at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Her sister Sharon was wed the same day at the same church, and Ozaukee Press called the event “The Parade of Twins.”

Karen and Roger remained in Port Washington and raised their four children. Mrs. Gierach worked as a matron cook for the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff Art Helm and Sheriff Fernando Perez and later worked as a cook at St. Alphonsus Hospital and St. Mary Hospital until the facility in Port Washington closed. While in high school Karen had worked at Janzer’s Restaurant across the street from the library in Port Washington.

Roger and Karen had a longtime habit of sharing coffee in the morning, a ritual they both looked forward to their entire marriage. Roger preceded Karen in death in 2025.

Mrs. Gierach was well known for her cooking and sewing. Growing up, she was inseparable from her twin sister Sharon and the two stayed in daily contact after Sharon moved to Las Vegas. Karen looked forward to her trips to visit her sister, which always included playing Yahtzee and drinking lots of Tab soda.

Survivors include her children Susie (Don) Marten, Kathy Gierach, Carol (Jeff) Leppla and Gary Gierach. She is further survived by grandchildren Jennifer, Becky, Shane, Mitchell and Mikala, great-grandchildren Malia, Marilyn, Mackenzie and Elliot, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. 

Karen was preceded in death by her husband Roger, her parents Edward and Dorothy and siblings Bernadette, Charles, DeWayne and Jerry Stiefvater.

The family will receive guests at Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington, 1600 W. Grand Ave., on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Karen will be laid to rest with her husband the following day at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove.

If desired, memorials are suggested in Karen’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association .

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.