1941
Karen
2011
Karen S. Knary
December 21, 1941 — March 16, 2011
Karen Sue VanMelkebeke-Knary, 69, of Moline, died Wednesday, March 16, 2011 surrounded by the love & comfort of her family, at Trinity, Rock Island.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 412-10th St., Moline. Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Friday, with a rosary recited at 3:30 p.m. at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601-38 Ave., Moline. Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
Karen Creen was born December 21, 1941 in Moline, IL. She was the daughter of Paul & Helen Dumon Creen. Karen graduated from St. Mary's, Moline, Alleman High School and attended Black Hawk College. She married Robert VanMelkebeke on January 28, 1961. Together they owned and operated the Andover Inn from 1963 to 1989. Bob passed away on October 8, 1989. Karen then married Curtiss Knary on May 9, 1998. He preceded her in death on July 1, 2002.
Karen had previously been employed by Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company. She retired from Augustana College in June of 2010. She enjoyed watching all of her grandchildren & step grandchildren's events. She also loved her family events, dining out with old and new friends, boating and bowling in her Thursday league. She also loved to play euchre and uno with her family. Karen had been a Girl Scout leader, a baseball coach and was an active member of Mary, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Orion. She was also an avid reader and was a Cubs, Bears and Illini fan. She was a member of the Viking Club, East End Club, Quad Cities Singles, and Orion PTA where she played in the Tuesday night women's volleyball league for 15 years. Karen had also been the village clerk in Andover for 25 years.
Survivors include
Daughter Bobbie Sue (Michael) Heald Lynn Center, IL
Son Rodney (Julie) VanMelkebeke Reynolds, IL
Grandchildren Adam, Philip & Eric Heald
Ryan, Rylee & Jordan VanMelkebeke
Step-Grandchildren Krysten, Ashley & Bobby Bickle
Siblings Tom (Kathy) Creen
Dan (Cuc) Creen
Pam (Frank) Pucher
Brother-in-law Frank Deignan
very special Cousin Penne Vroman
Nieces and nephews Erin (Brian) Delf
Patrick, Maggie & Frankie Pucher
Great nephew Jacob Delf
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands and her sister, Jackie Creen-Deignan.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 412-10th St., Moline. Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Friday, with a rosary recited at 3:30 p.m. at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601-38 Ave., Moline. Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
Karen Creen was born December 21, 1941 in Moline, IL. She was the daughter of Paul & Helen Dumon Creen. Karen graduated from St. Mary's, Moline, Alleman High School and attended Black Hawk College. She married Robert VanMelkebeke on January 28, 1961. Together they owned and operated the Andover Inn from 1963 to 1989. Bob passed away on October 8, 1989. Karen then married Curtiss Knary on May 9, 1998. He preceded her in death on July 1, 2002.
Karen had previously been employed by Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company. She retired from Augustana College in June of 2010. She enjoyed watching all of her grandchildren & step grandchildren's events. She also loved her family events, dining out with old and new friends, boating and bowling in her Thursday league. She also loved to play euchre and uno with her family. Karen had been a Girl Scout leader, a baseball coach and was an active member of Mary, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Orion. She was also an avid reader and was a Cubs, Bears and Illini fan. She was a member of the Viking Club, East End Club, Quad Cities Singles, and Orion PTA where she played in the Tuesday night women's volleyball league for 15 years. Karen had also been the village clerk in Andover for 25 years.
Survivors include
Daughter Bobbie Sue (Michael) Heald Lynn Center, IL
Son Rodney (Julie) VanMelkebeke Reynolds, IL
Grandchildren Adam, Philip & Eric Heald
Ryan, Rylee & Jordan VanMelkebeke
Step-Grandchildren Krysten, Ashley & Bobby Bickle
Siblings Tom (Kathy) Creen
Dan (Cuc) Creen
Pam (Frank) Pucher
Brother-in-law Frank Deignan
very special Cousin Penne Vroman
Nieces and nephews Erin (Brian) Delf
Patrick, Maggie & Frankie Pucher
Great nephew Jacob Delf
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands and her sister, Jackie Creen-Deignan.
Visitation Details
Friday, March 18th, 2011, 4:00pm - 8:00pm, Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory
Service Details
Saturday, March 19th, 2011, 10:00am, St. Mary's Catholic Church
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