Karen M. McDonald, 54 of Normal passed away at 4:19 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012 at OSF St. Joseph's Medical Center, Bloomington.

Private family services are being held per Karen's request. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Briggs Doolin Education Fund C/O Heartland Bank.

Karen was born May 8, 1958 in Pontiac; the daughter of Alvin "Jr" and Ilene (Martin) Saathoff. She married Brian McDonald. He survives.

She was preceded in death by her father on July 1, 2012 and one brother-in-law, James Thies on August 2, 2012.

Survivors include her mother, Ilene Saathoff of Kempton; one daughter, Kristin (Ian) Doolin of Lexington; one son, Patrick Shelby of Normal; one sister, Connie Thies of Chenoa; one brother, Tom (Julie) Saathoff of Kempton; and one grandson, Briggs Doolin of Lexington; special friends, Raymond and Karen Berta of Normal; and several nieces and nephews.

Karen was a 1976 graduate of Tri-Point High School in Cullom. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.