Lois ‘Sue’ Karlman

Sue Karlman, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and lifelong lover of music, books and nature, passed away peacefully with a book in her lap on March 8, 2026, at age 84.

Sue was born Lois St. Louis on April 18, 1941, in Ladysmith, Wis., to Les and Lois (nee Stern) St. Louis. She grew up in Ladysmith alongside her sister Linda Allen.

Sue earned a bachelor of arts degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and became a lifelong Badgers fan.

On Aug. 17, 1963, she married her high school sweetheart Robert “Bob” Karlman.  Together they built a life in Cedarburg, enjoyed taking family trips to Florida, reading books, taking walks at Riveredge or at the Prairie and eventually doting on their grandchildren.

Sue began her career as an English teacher before turning her focus to raising her family. Her love of books remained central to her life. In Cedarburg, she served as president of the Library Board for more than 20 years. One of her proudest moments was leading the effort to build the new library and presiding over the ribbon cutting to open it more than a decade ago.

Sue also loved music and played the piano and organ throughout her life. She found great joy in the natural world and spent many years as a volunteer naturalist at Riveredge Nature Center.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband Bob and her daughters Pam (Tim) Gergens and Kathy (Christopher Clysdale) Karlman. Sue is further survived by her grandchildren Charlie and Julia Gergens and Claudia (Paul) Epland, her sister Linda Allen, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services for Sue will be celebrated on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church, N35 W6621 Wilson St., Cedarburg, with visitation from 1 to 2:45 p.m, with funeral services starting at 3 p.m.

She will be laid to rest in Zur Ruhe Cemetery, Cedarburg.

Flowers are welcome for the funeral or memorials are suggested to Riveredge Nature Center or Faith Lutheran Church.

Sue will be remembered for the kindness of her heart, her love for books, her appreciation for music and nature, her dedication to her community and the love she shared with her family and friends.

Eernisse Funeral Home, Cedarburg, is honored to serve the Karlman family.

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