Karen M. Ellers

Karen M. Ellers
68, of Duluth/Peachtree Corners, GA, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2021. Karen was born in Chicago, IL to Frank & Irene (nee Meduga) Malek on November 23, 1952. She graduated from Elizabeth Seton in South Holland, IL as Valedictorian, and attended the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and her Master’s degree in Business. Karen was an avid traveler. She visited five continents with extended time in Europe and all 50 U.S. States. She truly enjoyed flowers and gardening and was always the first one to heal a failing plant. Karen loved her family very much and was considered the historian, as she had countless pictures in albums dated and sorted for the last 50 years. She also made sure to keep in touch with many close and extended family members by phone and email. Karen watched and enjoyed all sporting events. She also doted on her cats and took care of many animals in the forestry outside of her home.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Frank & Irene Malek, brother, Glenn Malek and sister Nancy Shostok. Loving sister of Richard (Janice) Malek, Sandy (Bob) Arthurs, and James Malek, dear sister-in-law of James Shostok and Susan Malek; loved aunt of, Elyce (Bob) Herman, Stephanie Shostok, Kristin (Joe) Malek-Dustman, Steven Arthurs, Nicholas Shostok; proud great-aunt of Beckett Herman; also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and her family of cats, Stoney, Jackson and Belle. In lieu of flowers, Karen’s wishes were to have any donations given to her four-year-old great-nephew, Beckett Herman, who just had a heart transplant this last month. Donations can be sent to: Sandra Arthurs, 2853 Joela Dr. New Lenox, IL 60451. (In memo area: Beckett Herman). The family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, New Lenox on Saturday, May 22, 2021 from 9:30am until time of Service at 11:30am.