Karen Kay Wichman

Karen Kay (Mithelman) Wichman, age 82 of Fishers, IN, passed away on January 13, 2023. She was born to Raymond W. and Hazel F. Mithelman on December 2, 1940 in Grinnell, IA. She grew up on a farm outside of town and at times rode her horse to a one-room schoolhouse. Following the passing of her father when Karen was 12, the family moved into town where Karen graduated from Grinnell High School in 1959. Her classmates voted her “friendliest” and “best personality” in their senior class.

She attended the University of Iowa along with her high school sweetheart Ken Wichman and she was a member of the Tri-Delta sorority. Ken and Karen were married February 17, 1962. Their daughter Jennifer was born in 1962 followed by their son Jeffrey in 1966. The family resided in Mount Pleasant, IA, then moved back to Coralville, IA, while Ken attended graduate school at Iowa. The family relocated to Indianapolis, IN, in 1970 when Ken took a job with the Dow Chemical Company. Thanks to a company exchange program, the family lived in Milan, Italy, for eight months in 1978. During that time, they traveled throughout Italy and other European countries with Karen insisting that her family experience the best of European art and museums. Karen and Ken resided in Midland, MI, from 1985-1991 before relocating to Fishers, IN.

Karen was an avid gardener and longstanding member of the Hillcrest Garden Club. She could always be found tending to her flowers and gardens at their beautiful home that backs up to the woods in the River Glen community. Karen loved to play tennis competitively. She was a member and employee of the Indianapolis Racquet Club and played for several of their competition tennis teams. Karen volunteered at the US Open Clay Court Championships that later became the Indianapolis Tennis Championships. She also worked as a receptionist at the Jordan YMCA. She was a member of River Glen Country Club and enjoyed playing golf with her friends.

Karen and Ken had season tickets to University of Iowa football games for several years; they enjoyed tailgating and attending bowl games with all of their fellow Hawkeye friends. Karen usually had the home TV tuned to sports, including Grand Slam tennis tournaments, professional golf, and all Iowa sports. Karen loved the beach and spent several vacations at Siesta Key, Florida. Other travel destinations included Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, return trips to Italy, and England.

Karen was always a welcoming hostess and enjoyed meal planning and entertaining guests at their home. Her favorite guests were her four grandchildren who could always be assured of freshly baked cookies on every visit. She worked hard to ensure that their home was always a welcome refuge to family and friends.

Karen extended her many talents as a devoted member of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church for more than 50 years. She served on the Altar Guild, Worship and Music Committee, as well as the Building Committee for the current sanctuary. She regularly took charge of decorating the church for major holidays, taking special enjoyment during the hectic Christmas season.

Karen is survived by her husband Ken of nearly 61 years along with sisters Connie (Larry) Richman of Urbandale, IA, and Donna (Jack) Swarthout of Newton, IA, and half-brother Phillip (Angie) Gross of Grinnell, IA, and brother-in-law Hugh German of Grinnell, IA, along with many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Patrick Barr of Dayton, OH, and their children Emily (David) Nutt of Cincinnati, OH, and Christopher (Meagan) Barr of Berthoud, CO; her son Jeff and daughter-in-law Brenda Wichman of Herndon, VA, and their daughters Rebecca of Fairfax, VA, and Eleanor of Iowa City, IA. She was preceded in death by her great-granddaughter Mia Palmer Barr.

The family wishes to thank the neuro ICU team and the dedicated chaplains at Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospital for their care and support during Karen’s final days. A Celebration of Life will be held at Cross and Crown Lutheran Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 11, 2023, followed by lunch. The family will receive visitors from 9:00-11:00 am that same day at the church. Memorial contributions can be made in Karen’s memory to Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, 5233 E 79th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46250.