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Helen Karrer Obituary
Evanston, IL
Helen O. Karrer, 87, of Evanston, Illinois, died August 20 at her home. The daughter of the late Benjamin and Olive Karrer, of Port Huron, she was sister to the late Katherine Sheridan, Louise Weil, and Madeline Simpson. She attended and graduated from St. Stephen High School and earned her undergraduate degree from Nazareth College, Kalamazoo, Michigan. She worked in social work for Catholic Charities of Detroit and Washington, DC. before she moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1958 to pursue a Masters of Social Work at Loyola University. Upon graduation she taught social work at Loyola and was director of field work. An avid golfer and traveler, she spent many vacations at her second home in Manzanillo, Mexico. Upon retirement she continued to travel to Europe, Central America and Asia, and enjoyed winters in Mexico and spring and summer in Evanston.
She leaves behind her beloved friend Mary Alice O'Laughlin and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends from the clans of Sheridan, Simpson, Weil and O'Laughlin.
Her zest for life, travel, entertaining, lively debate, backyard grilling and Margaritas will be sorely missed.
Services are private. Info Donnellan Family Funeral Services, (847) 675-1990 or www.donnellanfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Helen Karrer
Margaux Sky
January 28, 2015
Oly, I just found this out. I am so sorry. : ( I hope you are well.
To Helen's family, my deepest condolences and prayers. Helen was a blast to be with! I remember her from many parties at my parent's home in Illinois and in Three Lakes, WI.
Peace and love,
Margaux Sky
Daughter of Sis and Joe Schwaba
September 1, 2014
So sorry and saddened to hear of Helen's passing. I so enjoyed golfing with her in Manzanillo and will miss her zest of life and her contagious smile. I think a golf event in her honor to remember and celebrate her life is in order for next year. RIP Helen we will miss you dearly!! Barb Beyer
Tanya Smith
August 31, 2014
Dear Mary Alive, how much I will miss Helen. Such a fun golf partner. I have missed seeing you these past couple of years, except at other events. My Love and Prayers to you and Helens
family members. Sincerely, Tanya Smith
lydia and arturo Bevaart
August 30, 2014
DEAR MARY ALICE,WE are so sorry to hear about HELEN S PASSING..She gave us so many hearty laughs and we shared some great times at different socials.Our heart felt condolences and prayers for strength go out to you .
sincerely LYDIA Y ARTURO.at PELICANOS..
Lucy Vryenhoek
August 30, 2014
Goodbye my friend,you will be missed. I had the good fortune to spend many trips around Mexico with Helen and MA, the last being this past March. Condolences to MA and to Helen,s nieces and nephews.
Marilyn Mayo
August 30, 2014
Such sad news! I had the joyous fortune to spend many hours with Helen and Mary Alice in Manzanillo and all over Mexico and Central America. She was a confidant and beloved friend, and I will miss her. My heart is with Mary Alice and the rest of her family.
Shirley Patton
August 30, 2014
Mary Alice I was so sorry to hear about Cousin Helen what a shock I will miss her she was a great lady. Love always
Shirley Patton Winnipeg Manitoba
Joseph Walsh
August 28, 2014
Helen was a wonderfully committed social worker who served well in many different and important settings. Loyola SSW is proud that she served there.
--Joseph A. Walsh
Connie Knapp
August 27, 2014
I was so saddened to learn of the passing of Helen. She and Mary Alice were such wonderful friends of Loyola University and the School of Social Work at Loyola. I greatly enjoyed each and every visit with them. The world dims a bit at Helen's passing. My deepest condolences to you, Mary Alice. Connie Knapp
August 27, 2014
So very sorry to see this lady go...will miss her very much. A life well lived, for sure! Lots of love to MA.
Leroy and Shirley Wolbaum
August 26, 2014
Our sympathy to Mary Alice and Helens family. It was a pleasure to know Helen and visit with her at Palomar
Hazel and Stewart Andreen
Susan Burke
August 26, 2014
Helen was a dear, loyal friend with a wonderful sense of humor. I am grateful for her friendship and mentoring at Loyola.
Beth moll
August 26, 2014
We were the best of friends since the first grade. We may not have seen each other much in the past years but you will always be loved and remembered. All the great times we had. I am so happy that we were able to talk to each other a couple of times recently. I will miss you terribly and am heartbroken that you have left us, but know you are in a much better place. Condolences Mary Alice, we are so sorry for your loss.
Bridget Wirtz and Beth Moll
Ruth Bachman
August 25, 2014
I will really miss you Helen! You were so kind to me when we moved to Las Brisas. And what fun golfing with you. You will be greatly missed. Condolences to Mary Alice who I unfortunately never got to really meet.
Bob Cullers
August 25, 2014
We will all miss Helen viewing sunsets in Manzanillo. She and Mary Alice have been wonderful citizens of el Palomar and valued friends.
Diane Krier-Morrow
August 25, 2014
I will always remember fondly our St. Joan of Arc parishioner friends, Helen and Mary Alice. I took them many times to Loyola U parties downtown. Helen was a delightful person to know. After her diagnoses, I stopped to visit them and was so happily surprised to have Helen open the door. She was in great spirits. She passed so quickly. She will be missed by many. Michael and I send our condolences to her family and many friends.
Silvia Ramirez
August 25, 2014
Palomar's Staff will miss the Unforgettable, wonderful and sweet Helen, but sooner or later we will meet with her, but Palomar in Manzanillo will not be the same..Our condolences to Mary Alice and their families
Ruth Wendler
August 25, 2014
Helen will be missed by many of us - her warmth and sense of humor was always appreciated.
Darcy Reed
August 25, 2014
What a dear girl. Helen had all the qualities that made her high on my list of "most unforgettable characters." She indeed broke the mold. We will all miss her here in Manzanillo. This winter will be a sad one for her absence.
Linda Smith
August 25, 2014
What a wonderful friend we had. I will miss popping over to chat with helen and mary Alice in palomar,sharing rides to the golf course,fun filled evenings at dinner,the warmth of helen,s smile,and her interest in all matters of politics,national and international news. She will be missed.
Joyce Gallinger
August 25, 2014
Both Ron and I will remember Helen fondly as part of the Palomar family in Manzanillo. We shared her interest in politics and current events and will miss the lively discussions. It was always fun to go out for dinner with Helen and Mary Alice....we shall raise a glass to toast Helen as she moves on to a better place. Joyce & Ron
Myrna Skrypnek
August 25, 2014
What an exceptional woman! Enjoyed so many golf games with Helen in Manzanillo. She will be greatly missed!
Myrna
Lynn and Larry McNish
August 24, 2014
Hellen will always be remembered by all of the Palomar family. She always had such a wonderful positive attitude.We send our sympathy to her long time friend Mary Alice. Lynn and Larry McNish.
August 24, 2014
My sincere condolences to MaryAlice and to all Helen's extended family. She was a dear friend and will be greatly missed.
Cleone Duncan,Toronto,Canada.
August 24, 2014
My very good golfing buddy in Manzanillo. We enjoyed many a game together, also many an evening meal. I will miss her very much. Anne
August 24, 2014
I am deeply saddened to hear of Helen's passing. She was a dear, kind friend. Together with Mary Alice and their friend, the late Evelyn Keating, we shared many fun trips to Door County and many fond memories of luncheons and dinners. My condolences to the family. Sonia Bedrosian, Waukegan, IL
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