Eloise Violet Karkow

Eloise Violet Karkow, of Racine, age 96, passed away October 6, 2023, at St. Monica’s Senior Living community where she had resided the last four-years. The former Eloise Gallo was born with the help of a midwife at four in the morning on July 21, 1927, to John and Emilia Gallo at the family home on the former Milwaukee Avenue.

She graduated from Washington Junior High School, and then Horlick High School. Eloise displayed a talent for acting in Horlick Theater productions, which led to work with the Racine Theater Guild, and such plays as Blithe Spirit, Guest In The House, and The Silver Whistle. Eloise married Donald Karkow on June 20, 1953, at St Patrick Church. He passed away January 22, 2013. Eloise worked in the office of the Iroquois Foundry, during which she became a member of the Soroptomist Club of Professional Women. Starting a family then became her focus. Three children later, Eloise became a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital, and worked part time for 29-years in the office of N. Christensen & Son Realty, where she was known as Ellie. Above all, Eloise was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.

A shining light has dimmed here on earth, but Heaven has a new angel. Eloise was a member of Holy Name/St Richard and St Lucy Catholic Churches over the years. Surviving are her daughter, Dr. Mary Karkow of Brookfield; sons Jim (Shirley) of Holly Springs, N.C.; and Tom (Janet) of Racine. Others surviving include her brother Gerald (Patricia) Gallo of Racine; sister-in-law Romie Gallo of Kansasville; grandchildren Kate (Manny) Lopez; Aaron (Lauren) Karkow in North Carolina, and Andrew Karkow of Racine; and seven great grandchildren in North Carolina, plus nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Donald, Eloise was preceded in death by her parents John and Emilia; brothers Ralph and David, sister-in-law Esther, plus several aunts and uncles.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St Monica’s Senior Living Chapel, 3920 N. Green Bay Road, Racine, Saturday October 21, 2023, at 10 am. It will also be LIVE streamed on the Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home Facebook page. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00 in the chapel. Interment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, 2510 Kinzie Avenue, Racine. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Eloise’s name to The Racine Theatre Guild, or The Staff Development & Education Fund at St. Monica’s.

The family extends sincere thanks to all the caregivers at St Monica’s Senior Living, as well as Mike & Nicole from St. Croix Hospice for the loving attention they provided to Eloise. The obvious compassion, and knowing you truly cared about this sweet, gentle lady meant a great deal.