Mary Elizabeth Karpowicz

Mary Elizabeth Karpowicz, age 86, of Huntley, died peacefully, July 7, 2025, at her home with her family by her side.
Mary was born February 7, 1939 to Howard Benjamin and Mary Rice Wiles. She married her high school sweetheart, Frank Karpowicz, on September 6, 1958 at St. Bernard Church in Peoria, Il. Frank preceded her in death on October 4, 2019.
Surviving are six children, Kelly (Robert) Olejniczak, Kathy Karpowicz, Frank (Karen McCurdy) Karpowicz, Steve (Linda) Karpowicz, Mary Beth (John) Jilek, and John, (Tami) Karpowicz; seven grandsons, Boston (Haley)Freilinger, Matthew (Sarah) Olejniczak, Michael (Katie) Olejniczak, Stefan Karpowicz, Joseph Karpowicz, Benjamin Karpowicz, and Jack Karpowicz; two step-grandsons, Joseph and Thomas Carroll; eleven granddaughters, Meghan (Ryan) Osborn, Kailin (Jason) Perugini, Christina Karpowicz, Elizabeth (Joshua) Rehak, Sarah (Chris Clark) Jilek, Meg Jilek, Kristin Karpowicz, Jackie Karpowicz, Faith Karpowicz, Frances Karpowicz, and Sophie Karpowicz; thirteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Iris (George) Rothan, Sue (Tom) Porritt, and Nell (John Bretzlauf) Schatz; and one brother, Michael Wiles. Mary was preceded in death by one brother, Howard J. Wiles.
Mary, or "Dobbs" to several generations of Wiles, received many gifts from God but she identified three as most significant in her life. First, a life-long partnership in love and marriage with Frank. They met as teenagers and created a true partnership that was based on a deep love and mutual respect for one another. Over 61 years together Mary and Frank led with love for each other, their family, and God.
Mary would say that her second most important gift from God was her life as a mother of six children. If Frank was the CEO of the family, Mary was the COO. Mary and Frank had six children in seven years. Mary fostered independence while at the same time coordinating education, sports, and extracurricular activities for the Karp kids. While discipline was the standard, "I love you," was the most frequently spoken phrase.
Finally, Mary said that her third most important gift was her abiding faith in God. Mary's love of God and her unwavering faith was demonstrated in many ways. Together with Frank, she would become an active member of the Catholic parish wherever they lived. When they moved to Huntley in 2000, they joined the parish of St. Mary. Mary and Frank were instrumental in founding The Society of St. Vincent DePaul in the Rockford diocese. It was Mary's powerful prayer life that most clearly demonstrated her faith in God. No problem was too small or too large to hand over to God through prayer. Friends and family can attest to the impact of Mary's intercessory prayer.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025 from 4-6pm at DeFiore Funeral Home-10763 Dundee Road, Huntley. A second visitation will be held Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 9am until the time of the 10 am Funeral Mass all at St. Mary Catholic Church-10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Croix Hospice, Rockford, Illinois, or St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Mary Parish.
Mary was blessed to receive exceptional hospice care during the last months of her life. Her family is grateful to her hospice team for their focus on supporting her life goals and improving the quality of her life until, as her nurse, Lexi, would say, "God was finished making her bed."
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com