Karen Louise Swingler Wente (81) of Acworth, GA, formerly of Teutopolis

On November 8, 2023, Karen Louise Wente, née Swingler, formerly of Teutopolis, IL, passed away at the age of 81 in Acworth, GA at home with her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Tuscan Hills Winery in Effingham, IL. All are welcome, and families are encouraged. Graveside entombment service will be on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 11:00 am at St. Francis Cemetery in Teutopolis. An intention mass for Karen will be on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Teutopolis. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family. In lieu of memorials, the family requests the planting of a tree, donations to the Humane Society, or an act of kindness towards others. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

A petite woman, quick-witted and vivacious, Karen was a true firecracker. She was a talented baker throughout her life, and as a teen, won the Pillsbury Young Baker Award in 1959. Creative in many ways, she then went on to study cosmetology. Together since 1962, Karen and her husband, Jerry, built a life filled with love and warmth. The couple celebrated 61 years of marriage in August. Later in life, Karen became an avid gardener and hostess, retiring along with her husband Jerry to their own piece of heaven and dream of a cabin in the woods. She was known to throw parties complete with produce she’d grown and prepared herself. Though she had many passions, her greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren. Together, they enjoyed exploring the outdoors and working with their hands. Never without a smile, Karen will always be remembered as the life of the party.

Karen is survived by her husband, Jerry “Bowie” Wente; her daughters, Kim Pudlo and Kathy (Simo) Hakiki; her son, Keith (Mauricio Jaimes) Wente; her sisters, Ellouise Wallin and Arlene Bushue; and her grandchildren, Austin (Ashton) and Evan Pudlo and Nora and Reyad Hakiki.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Bob, Jerry, and Louis Swingler Jr.; her sisters, Jeanette Wernsing and Rosemary Lueken; and her parents, Della and Louis Swingler.