Karen D. Shafer

Karen Denise Shafer, 58, Rockford, passed away Sunday, February 24, 2013. She was born August 13, 1954, in City Terrace, California; the daughter of G. Pat and Joan J. (Cantarano) Gendron. Karen married Gael Shafer in Rockford on April 21, 2006. She was employed as a Registered Nurse in the Obstetric Department at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center for 35 years. Karen was known for her selfless acts of love and kindness to all those she knew and worked with. Karen loved and was devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren. Karen is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Survived by her husband, Gael Shafer of Rockford; her son Steven (Talya) Rosander of Rockford; her grandaughter, Amelia Rosander; her stepdaughters, Stacy (Jon) Bush of Tampa, Florida and Laurie (Matt) Cradick of Houston, Texas; her stepgrandchildren, Austin Shafer, Andrew Bush, Kendall, Hayen and Emmerson Cradick; parents, G. Pat and Joan Gendron of Rockford; brothers and sister, Paul Gendron of Rockford, Patrick (Sherri)Gendron of Rockford, Tom (Traci) Gendron of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Larry (Margie) Gendron of Rockford, Maureen (James) Maguire of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and Dennis (Trina) Gendron of Rockford; numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her grandparents and her sisterinlaw, Colleen Gendron.Funeral Mass will be at 11:30 am Friday March 1, 2013, in Holy Family Cathlolic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Karen'¢s name to the Wounded Warrior Project. To