Karla Balk Krampert, 86 (pictured at right from the 1939 Spy), formerly of Kenosha, passed away on October 4, 2007, in Bellevue, WA.  She was born in Kenosha on July 7, 1921 to the late John and Karla (nee: Petersen) Balk.  She attended McKinley School and graduated from Kenosha High School in 1939.  

She married Alfred P. Krampert on February 6, 1942 in Kenosha.  He passed away in 1994.  After working as a secretary for Nash Motor Company, P.H.& I Supply Company and Brookside Sanitarium, she became the administrator's assistant at St. Catherine's Hospital from 1960 until 1977.  She received a B.A. in English with honors from UW- Parkside in 1976.

She volunteered with her husband to preserve the Chiwaukee Prairie for the Nature Conservancy. In 1978, they retired to Tillamook, Oregon.  Karla Marie was an avid gardener and cook.  She was active in the United Methodist Church, the AAUW and several book clubs.

Karla Marie is survived by two sons, Alfred Paul Krampert Jr. of Kenosha, James R. Krampert of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; a daughter, Karla Ann (Kenneth) Walters of Bellevue, Wash.; a sister, Ruth (Wen) Fonk of Kenosha; a brother, John C. Balk of Nicholasville, Ky.; five grandchildren and one great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on October 9, 2007 at the Kemper Center, followed by interment in Green Ridge Cemetery.