By Carol McGowan 

Family and friends will gather next week to pay their respects during a celebration of life for late Summit Trustee Karen J. Wasko.

Wasko passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 17, after she and her husband, former Summit Fire Chief Robert (Bob) Wasko were involved in a traffic accident on their way home from a 75th anniversary party at Mama Luigi’s Restaurant in Bridgeview.

Their car was hit head on by a 23-year-old man from Oak Lawn, who is on house arrest. He’s charged with drunken driving in connection with the fatal collision.

Karen was married to her childhood sweetheart for 52 years.

They fell in love 58 years ago and will be soulmates forever.

Cherished mother of Nicole (Brian Grider) and Kelly Wasko who love and miss her dearly.

Karen was a loving and devoted daughter to Rose Marie Sirovatka and was preceded in death by her father, Charles Sirovatka and her father -in-law and mother-in-law Charles and Doris Wasko. Dear sister of Candace Mitchell, Nancy Glavin and the late Mark Sirovatka. Dear sister-in-law of Charles (Wanda) Wasko. Loving aunt to Michelle Warren, Tom (Kristin) Glavin, Mike (Haley) Warren, Dan Glavin and Amy (Brigid) Wasko. Great Aunt to Sierra, Allison and Patrick. Cousin to Donna and Allen. Honorary Grandma Karen to her bonus grandson, Henry Grider. Loving companion to her dog Remi and her fur grand babies.

Karen grew up in the Village of Summit and dedicated her life to serving her community. For 10 years, she had been the administrative assistant to the Chief of Police in McCook. For 12 years, she worked in the Human Resource Department at Argo Community High School District 217. Most recently, she had been a trustee for the Village of Summit, a position she held since 2014.

Karen is greatly missed and will be forever remembered by her many friends, co- workers, fellow trustees and everyone in the village for her warm and inviting personality, her integrity, fairness, and devotion.

She became a member of the Argo-Summit Lions Club just the night before the accident.

The club was on the verge of disbanding, and, in her usual way, she stepped up, and was sworn-in to help.

Due to the severity of this tragic accident that took Karen and terribly injured Bob, after seven months, the family is finally able to honor Karen and celebrate her well-lived life.

A Memorial Visitation in Celebration of Karen will be held on Thursday, October 19, from 4-8 p.m. at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. On Friday, October 20, family and friends are invited to meet at Foran Funeral Home at 9 a.m. for a procession to St. Joseph Church, 7240 W. 57th Street, Summit.  There will be a 10 a.m. Mass to officially commend Karen to Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks if you are so moved, to make a donation to the family for current and future medical expenses. This would be appreciated.

Checks payable to Robert Wasko may be left with the funeral home and donations can be made at this link: https://everloved.com/life-of/karen-wasko/?flow=264