Karen Rhynders of Sycamore passed away on August 14, 2023.

A graduate of Elmwood Park High School, Karen attended Northern Illinois University where she would meet her forever love Fred Rhynders. The two would marry on September 2, 1961 and spend the next 60 plus years growing a family and business.

With a love for creativity and people, Karen and Fred moved their young family from West Chicago to Sycamore, Illinois in August of 1972 after the couple bought what would become Kar-Fre Flowers. The name, while often thought to be a misspelling, was a symbol of their status as equal partners with the name representing both Karen (Kar) and Fred (Fre) in every matter of the business over the next 50 years.

The flower shop afforded her many creative outlets from designing fresh floral arrangements and planting dish gardens, to dreaming up decorations she and Fred would create that would add magic and wonder to every season.

The proud matriarch of a tight-knit family she will be missed by her children Michelle (Scott) Schulz and Kris (Kent) Wrenn. Karen was an adored Gigi to Kyle (JJ) Schulz, Lucy (Mark) Sieber, Maggie (Myles) Carroll, Madeline (Hunter) Spear and was thrilled to be Great-Gigi to Rhynder Schulz and Theodore Spear.

There was nothing better than a car ride with Fred with her loyal puppy, Fritz, snuggled on her lap and there was joy to be found in a long walk, weeding in the garden with the Chicago Cubs games on a nearby transistor radio, sewing, knitting, a good book, and the simple pleasure of afternoon coffee and a cookie while watching Sesame Street and Elmo. Karen lived by the words of the "Desiderata" poem and made sure that each grandchild received a framed copy when they entered the adult world.

Good conversation and laughter was guaranteed with the ladies at Tuesday Lunch, or meeting up with her dear high school classmates, or over a fish fry with her dear Michaelis family in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. Some of Karen's favorite times were shared on the beach in Anna Maria Island, FL, campgrounds in Wisconsin, or over meals with Tom and Janis Kirts, Denny and Karen Pickett, and Gil and Mary Ann Perzan. These lifetime friends became more like family and have shared their love with all generations of the Rhynders family.

Karen's family is grateful for the kindness of the staff at Lincolnshire Place who provided such wonderful support to both Karen and Fred.  Sam and Jacqui Finch provided comfort and hugs and we are forever indebted to them for all they have done during this time.

Not one for a fuss or to be in the spotlight and because Sunday supper was her favorite meal it was Karen's request that she be honored by her family with a Sunday Supper to include a salad with her recipe for vinegar-based salad dressing strong enough to make you cough.

If you wish to honor Karen please consider a memorial to Dekalb County Community Gardens, Sycamore Public Library, or DeKalb County History Center.

Arrangements were entrusted to: Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815) 758-3841.