Karen Sivert

Date of Birth

Jul 29,1941

Date of Death

Feb 02,2017

Karen A. Sivert, age 75, of Elburn, IL, passed away surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, Thursday, February 2, 2017 following a long battle with dementia.
She was born July, 29, 1941 to the proud parents, Earl Sr. and Ella (Jones) Wilkison.
Karen grew up in Elburn and attended local schools. She graduated as a member of the first class to come out of Kaneland High School in 1959.
Karen continued her education at Northern Illinois University where she graduated with a B.S. and a Master’s Degree, both in education.
Karen’s future came together on a blind date with Robert “Buck” Sivert, who worked for her father. Fate continued to bless their love and they were united in marriage on August 10, 1968 at the Elburn Community Congregational Church. They began their new life together in Kaneville for a time before moving to Feldott Farm in Batavia until they settled in Elburn in 1973. They were blessed with three children, Brenda, Cindi, and Daniel made the family complete in 1976.
Karen’s heart was in teaching, so as no surprise to anyone, she taught at Waubonsee Community College for many years before moving into an administrative role at Arthur Andersen before settling in as a secretary at Fox Valley Bible Church. One job rose above all others and she was only happy to change careers once again, this time taking on the “grandma role”. Every weekend the kids would flock to her side to have special time with “the best grandma ever”.
Karen was the most loving and kind hearted woman you would ever meet. She’d do anything for anyone at any time. She was known to say “I love you a bushel and a peck” to her grandchildren at least once a day, if not more. She was always the happiest when surrounded by her family. Karen also was very health conscious and tried her best to pass it on to her family, much to their chagrin. Canasta night with family brought everyone together for laughter and love. No one came into her house without being offered a host of food options, and no one left hungry. Karen’s faith was her bedrock and it was fortified with daily readings from her bible. Careful to never let her hands go idle, Karen sewed clothes and other articles often and when she tired of that, scrapbooking made the top of her list of things to do. Dementia may have stolen her away from her beloved family, but it could never take away the memories that were made, nor diminish the deep and abiding love that will live on forever.
She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Buck Sivert; Three children: Brenda (Randy) Swanson, Cindi (Paul) Paschal and Dan (Adrienne) Sivert; Eight grandchildren: Tabitha, Robert, John Reilly, Tori, Jakob, Sabrina, Emily and Dayna; Two great-grandchildren: Ripley and Hallie; Four siblings: Marilyn Long, Elma (James) Wilmath, Earl G. Wilkison and Sally (John) Malnar; many nieces, nephews and a countryside of friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ella and Earl Wilkison Jr.; one sister Arlene Wilmath; one sister-in-law, Cindy Wilkison and one grandson, Luke Swanson; two nephews: Earl G. “Little Earl” Wilkison and Randy Long.
Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., with a funeral service to celebrate her life to follow at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Interment will follow, Wednesday, February 8th, 2017 at Blackberry Township Cemetery Elburn, at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Old Second National Bank in Wasco, IL. Checks may be made to the “Karen Sivert Memorial Fund” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 420, Wasco, IL 60183. Tributes may be forwarded to the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Will follow visitation at 7 p.m.

Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., with a funeral service to celebrate her life to follow at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119

Wednesday, February 8th, 2017 at Blackberry Township Cemetery Elburn, at 10 a.m.

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