Karen A. Lewis

Karen Angeline Lewis, age 60, died peacefully in her home on March 24, 2017 after a brief and courageous fight with cancer. She was born June 9, 1956, in Park Ridge, Illinois, the daughter of Conrad and Alice Pawlowski.

Karen graduated from Glenbrook North High School before attending the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. It was through the sorority that she met her future husband, Bill Lewis. They attended a Cubs game on their first date and were engaged in less than a year. They were married on June 17, 1978 in Northbrook, Illinois. Bill and Karen lived in Oklahoma and Colorado before settling in Rockton, Illinois in 1985.

Karen was a longtime member of St. Peter Catholic Church in South Beloit, Illinois, where she was a committed adoration chapel coordinator for many years. Her love of the Catholic faith gave her strength and inspired all who knew her.

In addition to raising five sons, she enjoyed reading, gardening, and baking. Anyone who walked in her house could count on fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies and lemon jello.

Time with family and friends was Karen’s greatest joy. She loved spending time and caring for her grandsons. She took great pride in attending school functions and sporting events for her sons and grandsons. It was always important to make birthdays and holidays extra special, and she never let an event go by without capturing photos with her loved ones.

Karen is survived by her husband, Bill, parents Conrad and Alice Pawlowski of Northbrook, Illinois, siblings Diane Roisland of Palatine, Illinois, Christine Pawlowski of Northbrook, Illinois, Conrad (Stacey) Pawlowski of Cottleville, Missouri, children Billy III (Amy) Lewis of Rockford, Illinois, Brian (Vanesa) Lewis of Cudahy, Wisconsin, Eric Lewis (Katie) of Loves Park, Illinois, Jon Lewis (Michelle) of Dubuque, Iowa, Daniel Lewis of Rockton, Illinois and grandchildren Brayden, Owen, Camden, Ezra, and Desiderio Lewis. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and loving friends.

A memorial visitation will take place from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, Illinois. A funeral mass at St. Peter Catholic Church in South Beloit, Illinois, will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 31. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in South Beloit, Illinois. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. – Send online condolence at www.fitzgeraldfh.com