Cover photo for Karen Anne Herstedt's Obituary
Karen Anne Herstedt Profile Photo
1939 Karen 2022

Karen Anne Herstedt

December 29, 1939 — September 20, 2022

Crystal Lake Davenport

Karen Anne Herstedt, age 82, of Surprise, AZ, passed away unexpectedly on September 9, 2022, in Lake Barrington, IL, while visiting family for the summer with her husband, Arvid.

On December 29, 1939, Karen Anne Rhodenbaugh was born in Moline, IL to Ray and Wynona Rhodenbaugh of Orion, IL.

She had an idyllic childhood, living in a small farming town with her three brothers and extended family. Everyone there knew all their neighbors; and whatever you didn’t already know, you could learn by picking up the telephone and listening in on the party line.

Her family were all members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Orion, IL. Karen played piano, participated in the high school marching band, and was a popular cheerleader, as well. She graduated from Orion High School in 1958, and then spent a year in nursing training at Moline Public Hospital.

Karen met Arvid Joel Herstedt, of East Moline, at The Wells Fargo Lounge in Moline, IL. Arv says he had to leave his home to find a telephone somewhere, so he could pursue her afterward without being under his parents’ watchful eyes and ears. There was only one phone in the house, after all! Arvid knew Karen was “the one” immediately, and they were inseparable ever after.

Karen and Arvid married on December 22, 1962 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Orion, and honeymooned in Lake Delavan, WI. They moved to Palatine, IL where Arv had been offered a teaching and coaching position at Palatine High School. She and Arv had three children; Laurie, Lynelle and Daniel, who were lucky to grow up with a close network of teaching and coaching friends and their families. All the kids grew up together! You all know who you are, and you mean so much to us! The parties were legendary.

One such long-standing friendship was with Joyce and Dennis Keppen. Arv and Dennis launched K&H Roofing as an additional enterprise after their work at PHS as Industrial Ed teachers. Karen and Joyce managed their other joint venture, Waist-Up, a T-shirt and silkscreen business, for more than 15 years. The Keppens have continued to be a source of great solace for our family.

Karen and Arvid also enjoyed wonderful friendships throughout the years with neighbors in Palatine, Rolling Meadows and in later years, Surprise, AZ.

Karen was a homemaker in the true sense of the word; serving her family exceptionally well. She not only prepared beautiful, nutritious meals three times a day, year round; (liver is good for you) but carried out meticulous cleaning, bountiful gardening and copious yard work. She was an all-around cheerleader, caretaker, and nurse extraordinaire for her entire family, including her parents as they grew older. No one could make you feel as safe and cared for than our mother.

Karen loved making our holidays memorable. She was a marvelous cook and mixologist, and an ever-effervescent party hostess who loved having fun. Who will make the annual Oostakaka or the infamous Liver Ball with as much aplomb now?

She loved singing, playing the piano, dancing, golfing, and entertaining friends. She planned our summer vacations with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was a doting wife, mother, and then grandmother; serving up love daily. She had a new lease on life with the advent of her newest grandchildren. She was stunningly beautiful, even into her 80s. Her beauty never dimmed.

Karen was predeceased by her parents, Ray and Wynona Rhodenbaugh. She is survived by her husband, Arvid Herstedt, her children; Laurie Schaefer (Mark), Lynelle Herstedt, and Daniel Herstedt (Tabitha); her grandchildren, Chelsea Shaw (Max), Sam, Caroline and Joseph Roseri, Kaleb, Ava and Owen Crawford, Hailey and Hudson Herstedt; her brothers Bill (Judy), Roger (Kathy) and Steve Rhodenbaugh, in-laws David (Susan) Herstedt and Linnea (Eli) Pyevich; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to list.

May her abundant energy and joy for life live on in all who knew her and loved her.

A Celebration of Life for Karen will be held Saturday, October 15 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the home of her son Daniel, 5612 Meadowbrook Lane, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014. We understand that not everyone will be able to attend; as her friends and family live from coast to coast, and everywhere in between. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please bring a written memory, photo (or both) of times spent with our mother or our family to the celebration; or mail ahead of time to her daughter Laurie Schaefer at 25641 N. Fernbush Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85083. These mementos will be of great comfort to her family; and especially to her husband, Arvid.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen Anne Herstedt, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

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Celebration of Life

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

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