Karen "K" Jakstas, 42, passed away in her Fox Lake home on October 2, 2011.
Karen was the manager of the Mineola Bar and Restaurant. She graduated from Grant Community High School in 1987 and from Southern Illinois University, Suma Cum Laude in 1991 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice.
She was instrumental with the Cardboard Boat Regatta, Mineola Fireworks, Cody's Canteen Golf Outing and Christmas Toy Drive, and she served as the Community Liaison for the Village of Fox Lake.
K was an avid Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals fan. She is remembered by family and friends for her having a zest for life and always there for a good laugh.
Karen will be deeply missed by her parents, Peter and Arlene Jakstas; her brother Peter Jakstas and her sisters Laura (Matt) Soucy and Erica Jakstas. Many close friends also survive
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Peter and Emily Jakstas and Robert and Grace Ansani.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 6, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. and resume on Friday, from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m service at the K. K. Hamsher Funeral Home ("The Chapel on the Lake") 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Cody's Canteen, www.codyscanteen.org (non-profit organization that helps children with life threatening illnesses) or to Save a Vet, www.saveavet.org , (organization that rescues military and law enforcement working dogs).