Karen June Wiewel
Karen J. Wiewel, age 52, of Quincy, died on Saturday, January 10, 2015 in her home. She was born on August 15, 1962 in Gibson City, IL, and was the daughter of James & Marilyn (Beecher) Monroe. She was a graduate of Chenoa High School in Chenoa, IL. She married Mark A. Wiewel on June 23, 1984 in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chenoa, IL, he survives. Mrs. Wiewel worked as a teller and member services representative for United Community Credit Union. Previously she owned a licensed day care for several years.
Karen was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, St. Peter’s Women’s Bible Study Group, Mom’s In Touch, St. Peter Praise Band, St. Peter’s Sunday school teacher, and a 27 year member of the Western Catholic Union, former president of the WCU Quincy Branch. She was involved in Quincy Cursillo; Great River Teens Encounter Christ, Quest and the Quincy Bike Club. She was a former Girl Scout Leader; soccer coach, officer of the QND Band Parent Organization and chaired many fund drives. She was the mother of three sons, all Eagle Scouts, and two beautiful daughters. Karen, a cyclist like her husband and children, pedaled her bicycle hundreds of miles over the years to raise money for needy causes. Karen’s greatest joy other than her faith was the time she spent with her family and friends.
Karen was courageous during her nearly 6 years of fighting cancer even though it never went into remission. Despite having over 25 tumors; she always had a positive attitude and she refused to let cancer rule her life. She believed that God had a plan for her life and that God would reveal the plan to her in His time not hers. Karen lived her life to the fullest and encouraged others to do the same. Her fight with cancer inspired hundreds of people to pray for her and in turn it brought them closer to God.
Karen loved the following poem:
“God sent each person into the world with a special message to deliver;
A special song to sing and a special act to bestow
No one can speak My message or sing My song or offer My love
These are entrusted only to Me
We need to do our part in what God asks us to do because if we don’t do it, then who will? Author unknown
In addition to her husband Mark, Karen is also survived by: Her parents: James and Marilyn (Beecher) Monroe of Chenoa, IL. Her children: Caroline, Anthony, Stephanie, Matthew and Mark Wiewel of Quincy IL. Her brothers: Kenneth Monroe of Pontiac, IL and Kerry Monroe and his wife Stephanie of Broken Arrow, OK.
Aunts and Uncles: Randy and Joyce Leach of Normal, IL; Donald and Jeannie Beecher of Bloomington, IL and Mora Monroe of Bossier City, LA. Her mother-in-law: Betty C. Wiewel of Quincy. Nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.
Karen was preceded in death by her father-in-law: G. Tony Wiewel.
The family would like to thank Dr. M. Amjad Ali and his nurse Amanda, QMG/Blessing Cancer Center, Joanne Cobb, Blessing Hospice CNA, Holly and Gabe Vanderbol, their children, Mark McDowell, Michael Elbe, Ray Heilmann, Fr. James Wheeler, OFM, Fr. Tom Donovan and Addie Desmond for their dedication, love and support shown to Karen and her family.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:30 at St. Peter Catholic Church. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 at St. Peter Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to the Karen J. Wiewel Memorial Scholarship at Quincy Notre Dame or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or Blessing Hospice.
What a courageous and inspirational woman Karen was for all who knew her. We grieve for your loss. Bless her and bless you.
Karen was a very friendly person who never knew a stranger. Mark and I are praying for your entire family and know that she is with Jesus now smiling and very proud of all of you. God bless!
We are so sorry for you loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mark and Family – Joan and I are sorry for your loss – We wish you peace
Mark and family,
My family sends our condolences. Karen was such a joy to be around. Her positive attitude was such an inspiration. I will miss her bubbly personality at work. She was a wonderful person inside and out.
Blessings and comfort to Mark and kids through this difficult time. Karen seems like she has instilled faith and built many treasured memories in her family and we hope this give them peace.
So sorry for your loss. May you rejoice in the knowledge that God now has his child in his arms and she is no longer in pain. Prayers
to all of you during this time of loss.
I’ve always seen your family as being very faith-filled and family oriented. I know that this is true especially now as. Over the past week I’ve watched you laugh and smile together over the good memories and photos that remind you of Karen. I know it has been hard on all of you but I also know that Karen is smiling down on you and laughing along with you! In English class we recently read a poem about how death should not be feared because it means it’s our time to be with the Lord forever. I know God has saved a special place for Karen and that nothing, not even cancer, can hurt her now. I know you’ll all make her proud with who you continue to grow to be. Love you, Karen!! Copious amounts of love and regards,
yours truly, Afton.
We’re very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.
Caroline and Family,
Know that you are in our prayers. We are so sorry for your loss, and trust she is rejoicing with Jesus!
With love,
Bill & Sara Barker
Dear Wiewel family,
We are so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing.It was a privilege to listen to the courageous story of Karen and all of you fighting the good fight. Peace and comfort to all of you. Brian and Pat Dinges ( friends of the Suk’s)
Mark and family, We were saddened to hear of Karen’s passing. Her battle was inspiring to many and she will be missed. She was a very loving and caring person. May God’s Spirit bring you comfort and peace.
To Mark and the children, I went to school with Karen K-Highschool. We did stay in touch through out our busy lives. I’m so glad I come to visit her in October , I will always remember that visit and hold her memory dear to my heart, Karen had a family to be proud of. You all have my deepest sympathies, I feel like a part me is gone. I shall cherish our friendship. You have my thoughts and payers espcially these next few days. With Love and Prayers, Myrna Sechrest Huette.
We are sending prayers your way as you grieve the loss of Karen. Love & Respect
Mark and family
So sorry to hear of Karens passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Karen was a wonderful lady who will be missed by many of us. On behalf of Western Catholic Union, I would like to thank her for 27 years of unwavering support and offer continuous prayers for her soul and her family. May she rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you deal with this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. she was an amazing woman with an amazing family. She will be greatly missed. Love and prayers.
So sorry for your loss 🙁 I went to school with Karen since kindergarten used to spend nights with her and Dolly Phyllis many times she will leave us many memories and we will cherish those times loved Karen love for her family and people she is a dear dear person to love and talk to the last time I talked her was our class reunion in Bloomington god rest her soul now loved you Karen prayers for all of you
Bless your family as you honor and remember Karen this week. Her suffering will be rewarded as she praises God in heaven with the angels. Her faith touched so many.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mark and family-my deepest sympathies on the loss of Karen. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. What a lovely lady she was!
I am so sorry for your loss. Her “mom hugs” were always appreciated when she’d visit us at SIUE. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.