Karen M. (Rukamp) Hobbins, 81, Green Bay resident, died Friday, March 15, 2024, at home, peacefully. She was born on May 22, 1942, to the late Bernard and Isabelle Rukamp. Karen graduated from the The Academy High School in 1960. On May 18, 1963, she married Bill Hobbins at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, where she was an active member, volunteering and being part of the Altar Society, until her death.
Karen worked in an office job as a bookkeeper when they married, but her main focus soon became one, raising her family of four kids: Jim, Patty, Kathy and Bill. Her family meant everything to her and brought her great joy.
She retired from her position as an Office Manager for the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum after 23 years of service.
Mom was a great cook/baker and loved to do it. There was always room at her table for more to join. (And there are some secret family recipes that have come from her co-workers).
Mom had an incredible green thumb. She couldn’t tell you how she did it. It seemed intuitive to her: take the dead parts away and water, but not too much. Her plants always looked vibrant and full of healthy life. Kathy and Patty would sometimes bring a few plants over to her home for her help, referring to it as the “plant hospital.”
She had great joy in going to their place “Up North” in Townsend. It was a peaceful place on a small lake, where adult children and grandchildren grew up adventuring and enjoying the bonfires, swimming, fishing, while all helping take care of the place. Mom was a strong swimmer, impressing the family with her backstroke across the lake!
She had nine grandsons and two granddaughters. Karen was a huge sports fan of her family, attending as many sporting events as she possibly could; football, soccer, basketball, gymnastics – for the family support and seeing their competitive joy. She also had 10 great grandchildren. Mom was one who always put others first, especially her family, doing what she could to take care of them.
Karen is survived by her four children, Jim and Jazz Hobbins, Green Bay; Patty and Tref Hietpas, De Pere; Kathy and Rick Hummel, Green Bay and Bill B. Hobbins, Anchorage, AK; 11 grandchildren, Matt (Madeleine), Brett (Meghan) and Elena Hobbins; Connor (Michele), Logan (Zion) and Korey (RJ) Hietpas; Alex, Nick and Sam Hummel; Lauren and Garrett Hobbins; 10 great grandchildren; brother, Robert Rukamp, Abrams; sister, Micki Hammer, Green Bay; brothers-in-law, Carl Arnoldi, Green Bay and Ron Fisher, North Canton, OH; sister-in-law, Charlene Hobbins, Flint, MI; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Hobbins.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 312 Victoria St., from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Funeral Mass 11:30 a.m. Monday at the church with Msgr. James Feely officiating. Entombment will take place in the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com.
A very special thank you to Mom’s friends, Ellen Dymond and Rita Merrick, who continued to come and visit with her, at her home through her last day.
A very special thank you goes out to Lana Yelenchuk, for the excellent care provided to Mom at home, as we could not have done it without you, as well as Nadia, Sammy, Donna and Joy for their contribution with her care earlier on.
Also a special thank you to the great care provided by Unity Hospice.