Karen Y. Weeks, age 82 of Wausau, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 while at Sylvan Crossing.
Born March 31, 1943 in Carlton County in Minnesota in her aunt's home. Karen was the daughter of Einer Polo and Dorothy (Wiener) Polo. She grew up in a rural home in Adolf MN. She had 3 siblings: brother Thomas Polo, sisters Wendy Polo (Kronenwetter), and Joanne Polo (Duluth MN).
She married David Bouyear in May of 1962. David served in the US Airforce, they had 3 children together. There were many moves over the years, including a few years in Okinawa. Then to Kincheloe Airforce base, where she started fostering children, along with working at an office on base. This is where she met Ralph Weeks. Ralph was gobsmacked with Karen. Karen set clear boundaries he would have to take on her kids and the foster kids. So after divorcing David, she married Ralph and moved to Mosinee. The family started working with Marathon county Social Services to do foster care here. She met Jim Prozinski and they decided to open a group home. She had issues with her mail carrier and decided to apply at the USPS and got a job in Wausau. So they moved to Wausau to start a new job and put together a group home. They fostered over 500 children over 50 years. She met so many great people over the years and they remained as friends.
Survivors are her children David Bouyear Jr. (Carol Davidowski), Lisa Reynolds (Kris), Lance Bouyear (Christine). Sisters Wendy Polo and Joanne Polo. Grandchildren David Bouyear III (Misti), Josh Reynolds (Brittany), Brendan Reynolds (Haley), Sasha Bouyear, and Antone Bouyear.
She was preceded in death by her parent Einer and Dorothy Polo, brother Thomas Polo, husbands David Bouyear and Ralph Weeks, and stepsons Cash Weeks and Russell Weeks.
A celebration of life will be scheduled later this year.
Family and friends may go to MWCS.WS to leave words of remembrance.
