Obituary of Karen Pindel

Karen Lois Pindel, 73, of Zion, IL passed away on January 20, 2021 at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, IL. She was born April 4, 1947 in Kenosha, WI to Kenneth and Lois (Walden) Julius. Karen grew up in Kenosha, the youngest of three girls – an outgoing, loveable redhead. She graduated in 1965 from Mary D. Bradford High School in Kenosha. A few years after high school Karen moved to a suburb of Chicago where she began working at Chamberlain Group, a garage door opener and gate entry system manufacturer. Karen spent 34 years as a very efficient and organized Executive Secretary with Chamberlain and its subsequent acquiring companies - Waxcoa and Wilton, manufacturers of tools and polishers. Karen retired from her long and successful career in 2007. Over the years she lived in various Chicago suburbs before purchasing a home in Northlake, IL in 1998 and staying put for 9 yrs. Karen, and her partner, Andy Beckenbach, enjoyed their Northlake home until after Karen’s retirement at which time they relocated to a new home in 2007 located in Zion, IL. Karen had significant relationships in her lifetime. She met her life partner, Andy Beckenbach in 1992. They shared a love for dogs, cats, and their family. Throughout their time together Karen and Andy have been wonderful parents to their treasured dogs – Katie, Zero, Fritz, Milhaus, and Gracie. They “adopted” numerous stray kittens in the neighborhood. Karen named each and every one and they provided them with food, shelter, and love. Karen and Andy spent countless hours with their families. They regularly attended special occasions such as holiday celebrations, birthday parties, weddings, and baby showers. Karen’s loved ones also enjoyed her company in everyday activities including shopping, picnics, and garage and estate sales. Karen had a passion for decorating her home and creating detailed small village displays. Her decorations and small villages were extravagant using themes for each season and holiday. Some of her favorites were Christmas santas and gingerbread men, Easter bunnies and baskets, Halloween Spookytown ghosts and witches (but no spiders!), farm barns and animals, carnivals, spring flowers and summer fruit. She also enjoyed wearing her themes with fun Christmas and Halloween sweaters. Karen’s beautiful smile, fun-loving and cheerful presence will be greatly missed. Those in her life knew her warm and caring nature. We felt her love and are thankful we were able to enjoy it throughout these years. The memories Karen gave us will live on in our hearts and minds – never to be forgotten. She has been a gift to our family. May God bless her. Karen is survived by her beloved sisters, Beverly Ingersoll and Donna Bock; her partner in life and love, Andy Beckenbach; three nieces: Lori Davila, Janet (Terry) Gray, and Kathy Bock; three nephews: Scott Ingersoll, Brian(Debi) Ingersoll, and David (Jan) Bock; nine great nieces and nephews: Amanda (Drew) Ingersoll, Melissa Ingersoll, Sarah Ingersoll, Nikki (Aaron) DeLassus, Samantha Bock, Leslie Davila, Matt Gray, Joe Gray, and Peter Gray; and her extended family Christine (Steve) North, Paige North, John North, and David North. Karen is preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Lois Julius, brother-in-law Marc Ingersoll, and nephew Tom Bock. Due to COVID-19 a small family service will be held at Congdon Funeral Home on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 12:30 P.M. with a burial immediately following at Sunset Ridge Cemetery, 4300 Green Bay Rd., Kenosha, WI 53144.