Karen Eileen Hanold

1944 - 2024

Karen Eileen (Pufahl) Hanold
Born: June 14, 1944
Died: December 26, 2024
Karen Hanold, 80, of Normal, IL, passed away at 10:41 a.m. on December 26, 2024, at the McLean County Nursing Home, following an extended battle with Alzheimer's and a brief, but aggressive, bout with COVID.
Karen was born in Ottawa, IL, on June 14, 1944, to Julius and Betty Pufahl. She married William "Bill" Hanold on March 8, 1964, in Ottawa. He preceded her in death on September 21, 2022.
Karen graduated from Ottawa Township High School in Ottawa, IL, and was fortunate to spend much of her life as a homemaker, moving to Bloomington in 1965 when her husband began his career at the Eureka Williams Company.
Karen was a devoted caregiver to her husband for many years as he fought his various battles associated with cancer.
Before her husband's illness, Karen was deeply involved in the life of Wesley United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Women of Wesley, volunteered in the nursery, crafted hundreds of items for the church bazaars, participated in the handbell choir, and served as the church's financial secretary for several years.
Karen had a love for music, which included playing the clarinet in her high school band, where she met her husband. She also enjoyed playing handbells, piano, and served as the church organist at First United Methodist Church in Ottawa, IL, before her marriage.
Karen had a passion for cross-stitch, plastic canvas crafts, and sewing, and owned a business called "Lasting Impressions by Karen," where she created customized baby blankets. A lover of antiquing, she collected vintage sewing items and miniature crackle vases for her porch windows. Karen also delighted in decorating for the holidays, with a particular fondness for Christmas.
Karen enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority.
Karen is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Doug) Nenne of Normal, IL, son, Steve Hanold of Normal, IL, and grandchildren, Sarah Christine Hanold and Matthew William Hanold, who were her pride and joy – nothing made her happier than her grandchildren – and a niece, Terrie (Dan) Dodgion.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Glenn and Nancy (Hanold) McCosh, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eugene and Louise Hanold.
Her funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, IL, with visitation from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Entombment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park, in Ottawa, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association to help combat this terrible disease.