Chenoa  - Karen Ann Skaggs, 77, of Chenoa, died at 12:17pm, in her home on October 4, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.  Despite being a breast cancer survivor and enduring congestive heart failure, Karen selflessly focused on her family until the very end.  Cremation rites will be accorded.  A private memorial service and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of arrangements.

Karen was born September 27, 1943 in Chenoa, a daughter of Loyal and Elva (Vielhak) Augspurger.  She grew up in Chenoa and married her best friend, Jack Skaggs, on January 19, 1964.  She attended Illinois State University and, like her two sisters, was a teacher in the Chenoa school district for over 40 years.

Throughout her teaching career, she touched many young people's lives.  Many remember her for her Easter egg tree project and hatching chicks in the classroom through the Chick-it-Out program.  She enjoyed teaching so much that she continued to work as a substitute teacher and a Reading Recovery teacher for years after retirement.  She looked out for the less fortunate and ensured every student was included.

She is survived by her husband, Jack, of Chenoa; daughter Jackie (John) Corrie;  son JD (Jaime) Skaggs; two sisters - June (Wes) Stalter, and Donna Saffer; four grandchildren, Zachary and Alexander Corrie, and Kenna and Kaylee Skaggs; two dogs, Babe and Boyd; and her best friends Sharon and Steve Kelleher, all of Chenoa. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, and one nephew.

Karen treasured the laughter and good times from their many trips to the Lake of the Ozarks. She loved holiday celebrations, particularly the 4th of July, and she cheered on the Green Bay Packers during football season. Providing for others is what brought her joy.  She never could wait to give a birthday gift, and she made meals too numerous to count for family, friends, and neighbors….if you went away hungry, it was your own fault!

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Chenoa, where she helped with Sunday school, vacation bible school, and the annual mother daughter tea.  Memorials can be sent to Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, P.O. Box 163, Chenoa, IL 61726 and will be designated for enriching the lives of students at Prairie Central Primary West school (formerly Chenoa Grade School).

No one could ask for a better wife, mother, grandma, sister, friend, or teacher.  Karen will be remembered as someone who was so loving that she truly wore out her heart.