Karen Ann Vix, a cherished soul and beacon of optimism, passed away at the age of 64 in West Chicago, Illinois, on February 7, 2024, after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on August 2, 1959, in Elmhurst, Illinois, to the late Jack and Ruth Collins nee Stolte, Karen’s life was a testament to her selfless and loving nature, which touched the lives of everyone she knew.
Karen, fondly known as a devoted sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, is survived by her sisters Debra (Randolph) Roesel and Patricia (Michael) Lapointe. She was a doting aunt to Karen Ann (Gerald) Smith, Shawn Hattendorf, Kenneth “J” Lawson, Jonathan (Tiffany) Benditz and Kelly (Jeff) Poulos-Conradt. Her role as a great-aunt to Cynthia Hattendorf, Shawn Lessard, Savannah Conradt and Evelyn Benditz was one she embraced with joy and pride. Karen’s family extended beyond blood relations as she was a cousin and dearest friend to many.
Karen was preceded in death by her sister Kathleen Saunders.
With a passion for life and learning, Karen pursued a career that reflected her love for animals and nature. She became a skilled Veterinary Technician with Dr. Ron Swanson of Countryside Animal Clinic in Carol Stream and an accomplished Horticulturist at Planters Palette in Winfield blending her nurturing spirit with her professional endeavors. The balance of her career was with Scott Wilson of Wheaton Mulch, in Wheaton and he and his family also became her extended family by providing their love and support through all her battles and triumphs the last several years.
Karen’s interests were not confined to her work; her life was rich with the joy of gardening and the companionship of pets. Her garden was an oasis of tranquility, a place where she found peace and imparted her knowledge to others. Friends and family will remember Karen’s home as a welcoming space filled with the warmth of her presence and the love she had for her furry and not so furry four-legged companions — Tasha, Gabby, Shalimar, Izzy, Mew, Tom, Tammy, Oso, Dude, Clara, Nikki, Bobbie Mae, Leela, Chuck, Otis and we can’t forget her bunnies and parakeets.
To know Karen was to know a woman of extraordinary character. She was the epitome of selflessness, always putting others before herself, and her positivity was a constant, even in the face of her own challenges. Her loving nature was her signature, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those she met.
As we bid farewell to Karen, we celebrate a life that was lived with purpose and kindness. Her legacy is one of love, care, and the beauty that she cultivated in her gardens and relationships. Karen’s memory will continue to bloom in the stories shared by those who knew her and in the lives she touched.
Karen’s passing leaves a void in the fabric of our community, but her spirit will forever remain a part of the lives she so deeply influenced. Her journey through life was one of grace and resilience, and she will be profoundly missed by all.
In honoring Karen’s memory, we reflect on the joy she brought into our lives, the lessons she taught us, and the gentle strength she demonstrated throughout her life. We take comfort in knowing that her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us, just as the perennial gardens she so lovingly tended will return with new life each spring.
Karen’s life was a vibrant tapestry woven with love, kindness, and the beauty of the natural world she cherished. As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate the remarkable woman she was and the countless ways she enriched our lives. May she rest in peace, surrounded by the beauty she created and the love she gave so freely.
A Memorial Visitation for Karen will be held at DuPage Funeral Chapel (951 W. Washington Street, West Chicago) on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 11:30 AM until the start of the service at 1:00 PM.
