Philip "Foot" Karow

Philip “Foot” Louis Karow, age 81, of Randolph, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, following many years of battling cancer.

Phil was born in Columbus, Wisconsin on October 8, 1942, to Herman and Freida (Patzer) Karow. He graduated from Fall River High School, class of 1960, and served in the United States Army from 1964-1966 as a military police officer. Phil worked for over 30 years at John Deere Horicon Works from which he retired in 1997. After retiring, he worked as a salesman/delivery person for Pioneer Seed. Phil was always eager to help out a neighbor or friend. He was always ready to roll up his sleeves, with a smile on his face and a joke on his tongue. His humor was known and his jokes came to be expected by everyone he met. Phil’s children and family could always count on him to get things done, and if he couldn’t do it himself, he knew someone who could. When he wasn’t spending time with his family and friends, Phil was often out cutting trees and splitting wood. He had a love for the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and for Wisconsin sports teams. Phil was a long-standing and dedicated member of First Reformed Church of Randolph, serving as an Elder and Deacon. His son-in-law John summed Phil up with this verse, Proverbs 19:17, Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Phil was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Joan (DeYoung) Karow; one son, Kelly Karow of Fall River; two daughters, Kim Berger of Columbus and Keri (John) VerHage of Randolph; three grandchildren, Abigail Berger of Columbus, Margaret VerHage of Sheboygan, and John VerHage of Portsmouth, VA; two sisters-in-law, Marcia (Mike) Decker of Beaver Dam, Marlene DeYoung of Randolph, and special buddy, Mark Schulz of Fort Atkinson. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ralph Karow; sister-in-law, Joan Karow; a sister in infancy; son-in-law, Brian Berger; nephew, Scott Karow; brother-in-law, Richard DeYoung, and close friends, Joe Mesch and John Schulz.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Randolph First Reformed Church, 406 S High St, Randolph, WI 53956.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Randolph First Reformed Church with Pastor Luke Baehr officiating. Burial will follow at Randolph Cemetery with Military Honor provided by the Randolph VFW Post 9510 Honor Guard.

Memorials may be established in Phil’s name to the Randolph Cambria Friesland FFA, 110 Meadowood Drive, Randolph, WI 53956.

The family would like to extend a special thank you, to the caregivers of Hillside Hospice, all of our family and friends who helped us through this time, and Pastor Luke for his visits and prayers.