Karen Ann Blaser, 84, of Sycamore died January 10, 2024 at Northwestern Hospital - Huntley, IL.

She was born December 4, 1939 in Aurora to Erwin and Berneice (Swift) Mittan, and grew up on her family farm in Paw Paw, Illinois.  She married Albert (Buddy) Blaser on May 25, 1984 in Nashua, IA.

Karen was an executive administrative secretary/editor in the Liberal Arts and Science Department at Northern Illinois University for 33 years. She was instrumental in editing and translating textbooks and other documents from Latin to English, along with other languages for many professors.

Karen was an avid knitter since she was a teenager. It was a special gift to receive one of her hand-knit items. She would create hundreds of hats and mittens to give to those in need throughout her community. She was a member of a prayer shawl group, creating shawls to comfort those burdened with grief. Karen learned how to spin wool to make her gifts even more unique. She would even do spinning demonstrations at local middle schools. To know Karen meant you knew she loved to knit, but you also knew she loved the color purple. Both brought her joy over her lifetime. She had a fondness for animals, feeding and watching birds, squirrels, and other wildlife in her own backyard with her husband. She had a special bond with cats, enjoying all breeds, and most recently, her Mainecoon, Mittens. She and her husband, Albert, loved to travel, particularly in the northwest by train. She and Albert also enjoyed many years as ham radio operators, eventually becoming licensing proctors for ham radios.

Survivors include her daughter, Tammy Judkins; grandchildren, Michael (Valerie) Judkins, Crystal Judkins, Catherine (Jeff) Norris and Christopher (Nicole) Judkins; great grandchildren, Devon and Taylor Judkins, Phoenix, Alina, Amayah and Phineas Dexheimer,  Aubree Judkins, Phoenix Chasteen, Caleigh and Milo Norris, Luke and Lucy Judkins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert (Buddy) in 2022; her daughter, Kathleen Hipps; great grandson, Peyton Dexheimer; one brother, Robert Mittan and her nephew, Christian Mittan.

Her visitation will be on Wednesday, January 17th  from 10:00-11:00 AM  at the United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson St., Sycamore, IL.   Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM with Rev. Luis Felipe Reyes-Rosario officiating.  Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore.

A luncheon will then be served back at the Sycamore United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made the Sycamore United Methodist Church in care of the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178