Karen Sue Frey

Karen Sue Frey, 74, of Baileyville, IL passed away peacefully Wednesday October 11, 2023 at Manor Court in Freeport and is now at home with her Heavenly Father. She was born January 19, 1949 in Rockford, IL to Irvin and Hazel (Schelling) Kielsmeier. Karen was a 1967 graduate of Mt. Morris High School. On October 14, 1972 she married Larry Frey at the Church of the Brethren in Mt. Morris, IL. After graduating high school, Karen attended Highland Community College, School of Nursing. Karen’s employment as a Registered Nurse included St. Clare Hospital, Monroe Hospital and the Freeport Clinic at Freeport Memorial Hospital. Church was very important to Karen and she looked forward to attending on Sunday’s and also participating in Sunday School. She was a member of Park Hills Evangelical Free Church and the Christian Women’s Club. She was also a hostess for the Friendship Bible Coffees and also volunteered as a room mother at the German Valley Grade School, where she would listen to children read for German Valley Grade School’s reading program. The grade school was important to Karen because that is where her kids attended. She was a caregiver for her great-aunt and a Stephenson County Hospice Volunteer. Before starting their family, Karen and Larry enjoyed boating on the Mississippi River. She was an avid reader and book collector. Her hobbies also included traveling, especially to Branson, MO, snowmobiling, going to movies and the Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI. She was a gifted piano player, and as she got older,she played the melodica. She also enjoyed all kinds of music and she was a member of not only the church choir, but a traveling singing group called “The Sunshine Girls” that would travel to local nursing homes and sing to their residents.

She is survived by her husband Larry of Baileyville, IL; two sons Justin Frey of Winfield, IL and Joel Frey of Forreston, IL; daughter Holly (Chad Buckwalter) Frey of Mt. Carrol, IL; two grandchildren Kaitlyn and Natalie Frey, both of Winfield, IL; and three nieces, one nephew, great-nieces, nephews and many cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Preceding Karen in death is her parents Irvin and Hazel Kielsmeier, one child at birth, sister, brother-in-law Robert Frey, nephew and great nephew.

Private graveside services will be held at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday October 28, 2023 at Park Hills Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Chris Stukenberg officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service. A memorial has been established in Karen’s memory.