Karen Louise Knoedler passed away, peacefully, on August 11, 2023, at 1:45 p.m. at Bridge Care Suites in Springfield, Il.

Karen was born in Springfield on September 5, 1950, to Joseph B. and R. Louise Knoedler.  Karen is preceded in death by both of her parents as well as her younger brother, Gary J. Knoedler.  She is survived by her two brothers, Thomas B. Knoedler of Chatham, and Michael G. Knoedler of Springfield, as well as her sister, Janet T. Knoedler of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and her sister-in-law, Jean Knoedler of Springfield.  Karen is also survived by several cousins, as well as her 'family' and friends at her Possum Pass home in Sherman.

Karen was known by all who encountered her throughout her life for her sweet and affectionate personality, for her love of Mickey Mouse and Snoopy, including an extensive collection of Mickey items, and for an occasional bit of humorous sass.  Karen also loved puzzles, magazines, and books, and, occasionally, singing loudly and somewhat off key a few bars of the songs she knew best.

The family wishes to thank all of those at the Warren G. Murray Center in Centralia, IL, the former Country View Living Center in Latham, IL, and especially to so many of her staff at Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services and later, Broadstep, in central IL, for the care and guidance they provided to Karen during her lifetime.  The family is also very grateful to Springfield Aid to Retarded Citizens for their work with Karen in their day program for many years, and to the nursing staff, volunteers, and others at Memorial Hospice and BridgeCare for easing Karen's final passage.  And, finally, the family is especially grateful to the dedicated staff at Central Illinois Service Access, Inc., for their unflagging efforts to ensure the best quality life and care for Karen, and for so many others.

A memorial service will be planned for later this year.  Those who may wish to memorialize Karen in the meantime may wish to consider donations to Springfield Aid to Retarded Citizens.