Karen Joyce Ippolito (nee Shultz) was born May 5, 1952 and died peacefully at the age of 66 on July 8, 2017 after a long battle with lung cancer. Dear wife of the late Americo Ippolito; loving daughter of the late Earl and Julia Shultz (nee Klocke); devoted mother of Joseph (Jennifer) Ippolito, Stephen Ippolito, and Therese (Joseph) Weidinger (nee Ippolito); beloved grandmother of Cecilia, Dominic, Catherine, Gianna, Abigail, and Ava Marie; beloved sister of Judy, Beverly, Susan, and Mary Jolene; loyal and caring aunt, niece, cousin, and friend to many with the fondest of memories. She was born and raised in Sterling, IL where she attended St. Mary’s and Cardinal Newman High School. She spent much of her life in Florida where she raised her family and worked as a computer systems coordinator and trainer at Cleveland Clinic Florida. She spent the last months of her life in Saint Louis, MO with her grandchildren. She was a devoted parishioner of Saint Malachy Parish and spent her free time volunteering for their many causes including the Columbiettes, pro-life group, adoration chapel, and their annual carnival. She is best known for her smile and generosity to friends, family, and strangers and touched the life of everyone she met. She never turned away a person in need. If there was a story about her life, it would be “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. She will always be loved and is deeply missed.
Services: Visitation Sunday July 15 from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm at Kraeer Funeral Home, 1655 University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33071. Funeral mass Monday, July 16 at 11:00 am at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 6200 N University Drive, Tamarac, FL 33321. Graveside service held afterwards at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 1500 S State Road 7, North Lauderdale, FL 33068.
