Karen Ann Cornelius

Karen Ann "Rusty" Cornelius, nee Luke, 79, formerly of Churdan, Iowa, passed away March 7, 2018 in Skokie, IL. She was born September 13, 1938 in Chicago, IL to Leona Mae, nee Paup and Kenneth Luke. Karen earned her nursing degree and worked as a Registered Nurse at several Chicago area hospitals including: Edgewater, St. Francis - Evanston, Evanston Hospital and Catholic Charities, until retiring in 2002. Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Warren R. Cornelius; her parents, Leona Mae and Kenneth Luke; and aunt, Doris Turner, nee Luke. She is survived by her son, Donald W. (Lourdes) Cornelius; daughter, Sharon M. Cornelius-Iles (Richard Iles); grandchildren: Kevin R. Iles, Kathleen G. Iles, Natasha I. Cornelius, and Halle L. Cornelius; brother, David Luke; niece, Angela Luke; nephew, Jonathon Luke; and other family: Charles & Byron Paup & families, Barb Wilt & family, the Fitzpatrick family, the Hack family, the Torres family, and Karin Perkins. She also leaves behind her cat, Teazer, and dog, Dylan. Karen had a passion for reading, opera and classical music, embroidery, needlepoint, and knitting. She was a member of Women's Guild of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and a volunteer at Girl Scouts of America. Special thanks to the staff of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, CJE SeniorLife and Journey Care. Our memories of Mom will live in our hearts. Friends and family will meet for a memorial service, officiated by Pastor Deborah Bullock, Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, Illinois, 60201. The family invites donations in Karen's name to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 or at http://www.stmarksevanston.org/stewardship/ or to CJE SeniorLife - Adult Day Services, 1015 Howard Street, Evanston, IL 60202.