Karen L. Jeter

KAREN JETER,age 64, of Elburn, passed away at her home in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 18, 2008. BORN / EARLY YEARSShe was born on November 29, 1943, the daughter of George and Emma (Treest) Magill in Elgin, IL. EDUCATIONKaren grew up in Batavia, IL and attended local schools. She graduated with the class of 1961 after which she found employment at Batavia Container answering phones. MARRIAGE & FAMILYKaren married the love of her life, William Jeter on June 24, 1967 at The Church of St. Mary in Maple Park, IL. They began their new life together in Elburn at a duplex on Gates St. but soon they found a house to make a home on Kansas St. in October of 1969. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY Over 35 years, Karen rose from a secretary straight out of high school to be the head Cost Estimator before retiring on February 1, 2006.LIFE NOTES Karen was a woman with two different sides that enriched her life and those around her. She loved life and laughed often but had a private side and kept to herself at times. Although she had a particular aversion to water, she and Bill went on several cruises to Hawaii, Alaska and the Caribbean. Her home was her sanctuary but the trips to Mexico and Europe made enough memories to last a lifetime. When she was young, she bowled on three different bowling leagues throughout the area. The friendships with her "favorite five" girlfriends born in grade school and fortified on trips to the Quarry in Batavia never diminished over the years. No matter to what part of the country they drifted, the girls always found time for each other even into Karen’s last days. Karen shared her passion for racing which began even on their first date at a midget car race with Bill and her love for the Chicago Bears was unshakable. The real game that captured her heart was cards. Karen said she was born with a deck of cards in her hand and she was ready for any game, any time, anywhere. Whether it was spades, poker, cribbage or numerous others, Karen loved to play and only played to win. No matter where she roamed, garage sales and gift shops called to her and Karen could spend hours looking, but hardly ever buying, much to the chagrin of whatever unwilling companion that was lucky enough to be along for the ride. Never one to forget the "little people", Karen kept a special place in her heart for the dogs and cats that entered her life. These and thousands more are the memories made from a life and Karen made the most of them. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.MEMBERSHIPSKaren was a past member of the Quivera Club, a ladies organization in Elburn years ago. SURVIVORS She now leaves her husband Bill Jeter of Elburn,Two children:Tracey (Ryan) Doe of DeKalb, IL and Tom "Red" (Debbie) Jeter of Elburn, IL;Two siblings:Georgette Spencer of Batavia, IL and Richard (Jackie) Magill of Pueblo, CO;Several nieces and nephews and a family of friends. PRECEDED She now joins her parents and one brother-in-law, Carl Spencer who preceded her in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL Friends may call from 3-6:30 p.m. with a memorial service to celebrate her life to follow at 7 p.m., Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn. Rev. David Foxgrover, pastor of The Congregational Church of Batavia, will officiate and private family interment will occur at a later date. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Karen’s name. Memorials checks may be made to the Karen Jeter Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com.

Friends may call from 3-6:30 p.m. with a memorial service to celebrate her life to follow at 7 p.m., Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn. Rev. David Foxgrover, pastor of The Congregational Church of Batavia, will officiate.

Private family interment will occur at a later date.