Karen Topolovec
Karen Diane Topolovec
July 4th, 1958 – October 22nd, 2025
*Author’s Note: The following excerpts in our “Life Stories” are from the Celebration of Life service for Karen Topolovec for you to read, reflect, and pay your respects privately. It was a lovely honor to learn about Karen and to serve her family with a heartfelt memorial service. She will be dearly missed by many.
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All of us gather here today with broken hearts because Karen is no longer a physical presence in our lives. We have a powerful sense of loss. Where we are experiencing her loss- a missing piece- Karen is experiencing completeness- wholeness. May you know in your heart that Karen’s journey is complete, she is home now in the loving embrace of our Lord in heaven. She is reunited with the many loved ones she had been missing including her parents, Theodore and Dorothy, her Aunties and Uncles, and two brothers in infancy. She is surrounded by love.
And while the broken pieces of your heart will never quite be the same, know that Karen would not want your heart to be troubled. “What the caterpillar perceives as the end, to the butterfly is just the beginning.” What we perceive as the end of her life here on this earth is only the beginning of her eternal life in heaven. May you find comfort in sweet memories, may you find peace in the ways you find her to still be a part of your present, and may you find hope in being reunited with her some day in the kingdom of God.
They say that grief is love that has nowhere to go. Missing someone you love lasts for always. My most heartfelt wish for you is that your broken pieces may heal and be stronger and more beautiful because you knew and loved Karen.
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I’d like to share with you this poem. I hope the words bring you all some comfort, but especially to Karen’s daughter, Thea. You two were inseparable, and the days are now so different, so empty. While they will never be the same, may you grow to find that your sweet mother is still always with you.
“When tomorrow starts without me and I’m not there to see if the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me. I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you do today while thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say. I know how much you love me as much I love you and each time that you think of me I know you miss me too. But when tomorrow starts without me please try to understand that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand. And said my place was ready in heaven far above and that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love. So, when tomorrow starts without me don’t think we’re far apart for every time you think of me I’m right there in your heart.” -David Romano
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Karen liked Shel Silverstein poetry, and one she liked to quote was this:
“There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part, so just give me a happy middle and a very happy start.” -Shel Silverstein
And Karen did have a very happy start and middle. She was born on the 4th of July 1958, in Kenosha, and her laughter and love brought warmth and joy to all who knew her. Karen graduated from Bradford High School and earned her associates degree from Gateway Technical College.
Dedicated to her career in the healthcare industry, Karen spent her life making a positive difference in the lives of others. She retired from a meaningful career working as a surgical technician and then for an ENT physician. Her warm heart and compassion made her successful in her profession of caring for others.
Karen loved being a mom to her precious daughter- her ride or die- Thea. She adored being grandma to her BFF, her grandson, Dominic. Family was absolutely everything to her. Karen cherished time spent cooking, baking, laughing, shopping, and creating memories with family and friends. Online on her obituary memory wall, loved ones shared sweet sentiments and wrote things such as, “She was just the best of the best” and “Karen was ALL the colors.” Thea lovingly said, “Mom was genuinely kind, the best person ever, the loudmouth in the back of the room.” Karen loved decorating for the holidays, being at home with her loved ones, and praying to our Lady of Guadelupe.
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It does feel like Karen’s 67 years went by way too quickly. While no length of time with our loved ones will ever seem long enough, know that it was an absolute blessing to have had Karen present on this earth for over 6 decades. Her time here and her time spent with each of you was a precious gift. When your world is feeling a little too empty, may you fill it with gratitude that your time here overlapped with Karen’s and that you were blessed to know her.
There are so many stories to tell and memories to relive. Please share the memories, share the love today and in the days and years to come so that Karen’s legacy may endure.
Karen will be forever loved and missed by Thea, Tommy, and Dominic, her siblings, David and Beth, and their families, her fur babies, Teddie, Cheeto, Frito, and Gus-Gus, and many other dear family members and friends. Karen’s love and memories will forever be a source of inspiration to them all.
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Karen never left home without a rosary. Let us lift up our voices together in a Hail Mary for Karen.
Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death
Amen.
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“Years from now. Although I cannot see your face as you flip these poems awhile, somewhere from some far-off place I hear you laughing- and I smile.” -Shel Silverstein
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Karen, may you rest in eternal peace knowing you are dearly loved.
My sincere condolences and love, Holly