Dr. Karen Ann Fortner, age 64, lost her battle with cancer February 10, 2022. She was born in 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, the beloved daughter of Carl L. and Esther M. (nee Kaetzel) Fortner.
Karen earned her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
and her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Cell and Molecular Biology-Immunobiology from the University of Vermont. She graduated from La Crosse Central High School.
Since 2006, Karen was an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and a Faculty Scientist in the Immunobiology Unit of the Department of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont. Her postdoctoral studies and subsequent research provided considerable insight into why dysregulation of the normal turnover of T cells could lead to inflammatory conditions such as lupus. These findings demonstrated how a similar process might impact the inflammatory state associated with obesity and the promotion of fatty liver disease. She mentored promising scientists throughout her career.
Survivors include her mother Esther (nee Kaetzel) Fortner of La Crosse, Wisconsin, her brothers Carl (Patti) Fortner of Vernon, Wisconsin, Philip Fortner of Anchorage, Alaska, James (Lynn) Fortner of Madison, Wisconsin, David (June) Fortner of San Diego, California, her nieces Kristyn (Michael) Koprowski of Vernon, Wisconsin and Cindy Fortner of San Diego, California, and other relatives and friends. Proceeded in death by her father Carl L. Fortner.
Inurnment will be at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where a private family service will be held. Special thanks to her medical team at Froedtert Hospital Cancer Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Angels Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society are appreciated. The Rozga Funeral Home, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is serving the family.
Karen earned her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
and her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Cell and Molecular Biology-Immunobiology from the University of Vermont. She graduated from La Crosse Central High School.
Since 2006, Karen was an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and a Faculty Scientist in the Immunobiology Unit of the Department of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont. Her postdoctoral studies and subsequent research provided considerable insight into why dysregulation of the normal turnover of T cells could lead to inflammatory conditions such as lupus. These findings demonstrated how a similar process might impact the inflammatory state associated with obesity and the promotion of fatty liver disease. She mentored promising scientists throughout her career.
Survivors include her mother Esther (nee Kaetzel) Fortner of La Crosse, Wisconsin, her brothers Carl (Patti) Fortner of Vernon, Wisconsin, Philip Fortner of Anchorage, Alaska, James (Lynn) Fortner of Madison, Wisconsin, David (June) Fortner of San Diego, California, her nieces Kristyn (Michael) Koprowski of Vernon, Wisconsin and Cindy Fortner of San Diego, California, and other relatives and friends. Proceeded in death by her father Carl L. Fortner.
Inurnment will be at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where a private family service will be held. Special thanks to her medical team at Froedtert Hospital Cancer Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Angels Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society are appreciated. The Rozga Funeral Home, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is serving the family.
Dr. Karen Ann Fortner, age 64, lost her battle with cancer February 10, 2022. She was born in 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, the beloved daughter of Carl L. and Esther M. (nee Kaetzel) Fortner.
Karen earned her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
and her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Cell and Molecular Biology-Immunobiology from the University of Vermont. She graduated from La Crosse Central High School.
Since 2006, Karen was an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and a Faculty Scientist in the Immunobiology Unit of the Department of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont. Her postdoctoral studies and subsequent research provided considerable insight into why dysregulation of the normal turnover of T cells could lead to inflammatory conditions such as lupus. These findings demonstrated how a similar process might impact the inflammatory state associated with obesity and the promotion of fatty liver disease. She mentored promising scientists throughout her career.
Survivors include her mother Esther (nee Kaetzel) Fortner of La Crosse, Wisconsin, her brothers Carl (Patti) Fortner of Vernon, Wisconsin, Philip Fortner of Anchorage, Alaska, James (Lynn) Fortner of Madison, Wisconsin, David (June) Fortner of San Diego, California, her nieces Kristyn (Michael) Koprowski of Vernon, Wisconsin and Cindy Fortner of San Diego, California, and other relatives and friends. Proceeded in death by her father Carl L. Fortner.
Inurnment will be at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where a private family service will be held. Special thanks to her medical team at Froedtert Hospital Cancer Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Angels Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society are appreciated. The Rozga Funeral Home, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is serving the family.
Karen earned her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
and her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Cell and Molecular Biology-Immunobiology from the University of Vermont. She graduated from La Crosse Central High School.
Since 2006, Karen was an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and a Faculty Scientist in the Immunobiology Unit of the Department of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont. Her postdoctoral studies and subsequent research provided considerable insight into why dysregulation of the normal turnover of T cells could lead to inflammatory conditions such as lupus. These findings demonstrated how a similar process might impact the inflammatory state associated with obesity and the promotion of fatty liver disease. She mentored promising scientists throughout her career.
Survivors include her mother Esther (nee Kaetzel) Fortner of La Crosse, Wisconsin, her brothers Carl (Patti) Fortner of Vernon, Wisconsin, Philip Fortner of Anchorage, Alaska, James (Lynn) Fortner of Madison, Wisconsin, David (June) Fortner of San Diego, California, her nieces Kristyn (Michael) Koprowski of Vernon, Wisconsin and Cindy Fortner of San Diego, California, and other relatives and friends. Proceeded in death by her father Carl L. Fortner.
Inurnment will be at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where a private family service will be held. Special thanks to her medical team at Froedtert Hospital Cancer Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Angels Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society are appreciated. The Rozga Funeral Home, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is serving the family.
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