Karen Joan Kowalski

Born August 31, 1961 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Denzel and Loretta Sandberg, she was the 3rd of the 4 K’s (Kurt, Kim, Karen, Kelly). Her father’s job led the family to move to Crystal Lake, Illinois when she was 5 years old. While Crystal Lake became her home, Canada and her loved ones there always held a place in her heart (and on her wrist in the form of a maple leaf tattoo).

In her college years, Karen attended Northern Illinois University, where along with earning a Master’s degree in Family Therapy, she also took a 1 credit bowling class, a fact which served her well schooling friends and family with her bowling skills over the years. She spent the majority of her career serving the public, putting her caring nature to use helping countless children and families as a social worker for the Youth Service Bureau. She went above and beyond the call of duty, often doing things such as throwing baby showers for young mothers not fortunate to have their own family support. Her support and care inspired many others, changing many lives.

Along with her job as a social worker, Karen wore many other hats as a doting mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to so many. Her warm personality and demeanor won her the nickname AK, short for Auntie Karen, but fitting since so many people both related to her and not thought of her as the aunt everyone wanted to call their own.

But perhaps Karen’s greatest legacy will be the impact she made on many as a survivor. She was just incredibly tough. She defined never giving up, and laid a blueprint on how to handle a devastating diagnosis for those who came after her, often providing support to others newly diagnosed, both family and strangers. While the cruel beast that is cancer finally became too much and her body decided to take a much deserved rest, she fought hard for so many years. First being diagnosed with breast cancer at 33, she was again dealt another bad hand when she relapsed 7 years later at the age of 40 with a metastasis to her spine. Even when in health, she remained on oral chemotherapy for over 20 years, never letting it stop her. But eventually was hit with another devastating diagnosis, this time Squamous Cell Carcinoma, at the age of 58. Despite all the obstacles, she never gave up, inspiring so many of her friends and with her attitude and courage.

Knowing Karen was to love Karen. No one was more fun to be around or more hilarious. Always the life of any party, her personality was magnetic, her laugh contagious. She definitely had the gift of gab and could make friends with anyone-no one was a stranger for very long! She loved hosting and having people over, being surrounded by friends and family. Her house was a haven for anyone needing a home, a meal, advice, or to share a laugh. “AK’s house” was even a popular Facebook check-in location! She loved the color pink perhaps more than anyone on earth (and I’m sure more than anyone in heaven too), floating in the pool with a 64 in hand, cheering on the Blackhawks and Bears (and sometimes the Jets!), gameshows, slots, really any kind of game (and she was never above cheating!), and music, especially listening to her favorite band of all time Matchbox 20.

Karen is survived by her loving daughters Kelsey (Cory) Vice and Klansey (Jason) Benzinger, her beloved granddaughters, Rowynn Loretta Benzinger and soon-to-be baby Benzinger #2, her brother Kurt Sandberg, her sister Kim (Dale) Kowalski, and countless nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, all of whom adored their “AK.” Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Denzel and Loretta Sandberg, and her younger brother Kelly (Jill) Sandberg.

Visitation is planned for Thursday, August 26th from 5-8 pm at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home in Crystal Lake, IL, with a funeral mass at 10 am on Friday, August 27th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. There will be a Celebration of Life planned in the future when Karen’s Canadian family is able to take part. A burial plot has been purchased for her at Windridge Memorial Park in Cary, Illinois, next to her parents and younger brother, Kelly. In lieu of flowers, the family is collecting donations to put towards Karen’s permanent memorial marker. If you find a company that makes them in pink, please forward information to the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.querhammerandflagg.com.