Karen Elizabeth Leonard

Born April 3, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois to Charles and Mabel (Schoenhoff) Vykruta. Beloved wife of Kenneth Patrick Leonard; loving mother of Deanna (Stuart) McCann, Kenneth Joseph Leonard, and Michael Anthony Leonard; devoted grandmother (“Nana”) of Sydney, Brooke, and Jake; dear sister of Charles (Gloria) Vykruta; fond aunt of Ronald, Kim and Deborah; and best of friends with Elaine Fasano and Rose Ann Bringle.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mabel Vykruta, her in-laws Robert and Lorraine Leonard, and her brother and sister in-law Robert and Camille Leonard.

Karen was close to her family and friends. She grew up in Stickney and would later move to Berwyn and marry the love of her life, Kenneth Patrick Leonard. Always the hard worker, Karen excelled at her job with the United States Postal Service earning multiple promotions and ultimately reaching the position of Supervisor. When not working, she enjoyed reading, soap operas, and nature at the Morton Arboretum. Karen loved travelling with her family and friends. Beach days and camping in her earlier years followed by the family’s Woodsmoke Ranch spot near Starved Rock. In later years, her travels were mainly to sunny Orlando, and to New Jersey to visit the grandkids.

Friends and family will gather for a visitation for Karen that will be held on Thursday, August 10th, 2023 from 4 - 8 P.M. at the Blake Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Avenue, Lisle Illinois 60532, with a prayer service at 7 P.M. Family and friends will gather again at the funeral home on Friday, August 11th from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. and there will be prayers at 11:00 A.M. before proceeding to Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois for interment.

In remembrance of Karen’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org