Karen L Schaefer (67) of Effingham

Karen Lynn Schaefer, age 67, of Effingham, Illinois, passed away at 4:15 pm Friday, December 3, 2021, at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, Effingham, Illinois.  

Visitation will be held at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 from 4 – 7 pm and a Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 10 am at Bauer Funeral Home with a viewing from 9 – 10 am. In loving memory of Karen and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for children.

Karen was born on October 12, 1954, in Effingham, Illinois, the daughter of Mildred (Beals) and Russell Tarrant. She married William T. Schaefer on July 14, 1996, in Effingham, Illinois.   

Karen was the founder and owner of Treehouse and Treehouse, Too day care centers. She also was the owner and operator of KB Learning and Toys in Effingham. She previously worked for Quad Graphics in New York and World Color Press in Effingham. She started her passion for caring for young children as a home day care provider when her children were young. 

Karen enjoyed traveling the world by boats, trains, and vehicles, gardening, sewing, buying authentic paintings and hanging out with her beloved dog and husband.   

Karen is survived by her husband and children – Charity Boggs (Troy) Ozenkoski of Teutopolis, Illinois and Jesse Boggs of Effingham, Illinois; 3 grandchildren – Seth Russell, Kaleb Boggs, Madison Boggs; 3 step grandchildren – Brooke, Lauren, Derek Ozenkoski; 1 great grandchild – Emery Finfrock; sisters – Virginia Antrim of Effingham, Illinois and Patricia (Bob) Bushue of Mason, Illinois; brother-in-law – Hub Habing; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews. 

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; sister – Judy Habing; brother-in-law – Frank Antrim; niece – Tonya Gephart; nephew – Michael Habing.