In Memory of Karen Ralston (Reifsnyder)

* Funeral LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/saintalphonsusliguori/

Hello ~ I am Wendy, Karen's Daughter.

Mom's (Karen's) illness and death were unexpected. Yes, her illness was long, but the end came FAST and she was in pain ...............As a nurse, she KNEW what was happening to her and what the doctors and nurses were talking about. This scared her more than the illness itself.

I know she is at peace now and out of pain..............................but any death is unexpected.

Initially, upon her death, Mom (Karen) pledged, prepared and planned to donate her body to train new doctors and medical professionals. (It's the teaching nurse in her)

However, she died from complications of active Sepsis and MRSA, this is also known as “blood poisoning”. It is a bacterial infection. So, no one would accept her body. This meant that her cremation and funeral would happen now, not in the future, as expected.

Mom (Karen) had no assets and less than $500 in her bank account. She really did give of herself.

For the past few months, I (Wendy) have been unemployed caring for Mom (Karen) full-time. I no longer have the income that I did, and we don't have the funds we need, right now, to pay for her cremation, funeral, burial or medical bills. We are humbly asking for your help........

Any amount donated is appreciated and 100% grateful. It will be used to offset Mom’s final expenses.

Any donations beyond our goal will be gifted as a donation to a local homeless shelter or local food pantry or to a non-profit cat rescue or to a teaching hospital or to the Sepsis Alliance Association; helping others and their families who may fight this disease.

Thank you so much to everyone in advance for your support and for loving Mom (Karen) so very much.

Karen’s final arrangements and Christian Mass of Burial:

* Saturday, March 16, 2024

Narthex Wake: 10am - 11am

Funeral (Cremation) Mass: 11am - Noon

* Location: Saint Alphonsus Liguori Church

411 North Wheeling Road

Prospect Heights, IL. 60070

There will be a private burial at a later date.

Karen Yvonne Ralston

Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great-grandma, Friend, Cardiovascular “Heart” Nurse, Cat lover, Crafter, Quilter………..

Karen graced this world on February 22, 1948. She celebrated her 76th birthday 1 week before her death. Ironically, Karen died on HER mother’s birthday.

Karen was born in Reading, Pennsylvania to Ralph and Rosemary Reifsnyder. She died from multiple, complicated illnesses - Kidney Failure, COPD, elevated liver enzymes, infected gallbladder, atrial fibrillation, pneumonia, more.................... resulting in sepsis shock.

Karen and her siblings (Faith, Carl, twins, Diane and David) were raised by their mother and grandparents. Karen is a proud alumni of Blue Mountain Academy, Class of 1966 and remained close to her classmates all of her life. She was a long time, good friend to many people in her life.

After graduation, Karen studied medicine to become a doctor. It was postponed when she met and married Raymond Ralston. Until they were in school, Karen chose to stay home to raise her 3 children; Wendy (Frank) Mattison, Raymond Ward, and Jessica (Austin) Hough.

In the early 1970s, Karen returned to the workforce. Her husband stayed home to raise the children. As a family they moved often and eventually moved to Illinois. When illness came into the family, Karen returned to college and became a highly achieving, highly acclaimed Cardiovascular Nurse at Loyola. However, Karen never stopped teaching or helping others.

After her husband’s death and when there were no kids left in the house, Karen rescued cats. There were many cats in her homes, and all had names that started with the letter “L”. This was non-negotiable.....................

After retiring from nursing, Karen discovered her creative skills in sewing, crafting and quilting. She was the owner of Grandma Karen Originals, whose slogan reverberated Karen’s own life, “Handmade Today, Treasured Tomorrow”. She will always be treasured.

Karen’s passions were her family, 8 grandchildren; Angela (Mike), Andrew, Austin, Kyle, Connor, Madelyn, Mareena, Therryon and 2 great grandchildren, Eric and Piper.

Proceeding her in death are her husband, her grandparents, parents, some of her younger siblings, and many cats, especially her dear cat Libby.