Karen Louise Swazas

Karen was born on December 13, 1951, to Louis and Bernice (Mickus) Swazas in Waukegan, Illinois. She went to grade school at St. Bartholomew’s School, high school at Waukegan High School, and obtained an Associate of Science degree from the College of Lake County.

Her career included work at North Shore Savings & Loan, Illinois Bell, and finished with 25-plus years as an Executive Administrative Assistant with Abbott Laboratories.

Karen was a long-time parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Gurnee where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was also involved with other ministries of the church. Her spirituality was a big part of her strength battling pancreas cancer for over 3 years.

Outside of work, she spent her time on crafts, knitting, cross-stitch, and crocheting, reading and traveling to visit her immediate family. Her niece and nephew often thought of her as their third grandma. She often knitted and crocheted blankets for her niece’s, nephew’s, and cousin’s new-born children. She never forgot a birthday or other special events in their lives.

During retirement she took painting classes where she primarily focused on nature scenes and birds. She had a very soft spot in her heart for animals, especially for her pet dog who was her dear buddy for the last 15 years of her life.

Karen was also a big sports fan. She especially loved the Cubs, Blackhawks, and Bears.

Karen is survived by her brother Kevin (Kathleen) Swazas; nephew Matthew (Melissa) Swazas and niece Brittany (Maxwell) Brown; and great-nieces Florence and Rosemary Swazas, and great-nephews Benjamin and Samuel Brown.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She had a very kind and loving heart.

A visitation will be held on Monday, December 8th from 3:00 PM – 7: 00 PM at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee, with a Rosary to be said for her between 6 and 7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 9th at 10:30 AM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, located at 6401 Gages Lake Road in Gurnee, with interment to follow at Ascension Cemetery, located at 1920 Buckley Road in Libertyville.