"Adam, we are heartbroken to hear of your mother?s passing. You are in our hearts and our minds as you go through the memorial and funeral process. From what we know about how you?ve talked about your mom & what we?ve read about her, it?s clear that she is very loved, missed, and respected by all who know her. Please let us know if there?s anything we help with in Chicago. "
In loving memory of
Karen Shiltz Rathman
July 1, 1960 - November 29, 2021
It is with great sadness that Karen Kabellis-Shiltz passed away on November 29, 2021, in Dallas, Texas at the age of 61.
Karen grew up in Lockport, IL and graduated from Rockford College. While she had multiple business development roles across multiple industries, one constant remained: her passion and love for her customers and coworkers. Karen enjoyed spending time with her family, attending church, making friends at the farmers market, watching football, and cooking for her boys. She will always be remembered as someone who lived life to the fullest while trusting in God's plan. A woman of tremendous faith in the Lord, Karen went out of her way to ensure that those who crossed her path felt loved, seen, and welcomed in her presence.
Preceded in death by her brother Bobby Kabellis and parents Robert and Frances Kabellis.
Survived by her three children, Adam Shiltz, Matthew Shiltz, and Jacob Shiltz; siblings Rick Kabellis, Debbie (Joe) Rodeghero, James (Bertine) Kabellis, and Pamela Kabellis; also survived by numerous nieces and nephews; and her two dogs Bourbon and Theo.
A visitation and vigil will be held on December 16th 2021 at The Ivy Room, 12 E Ohio St #100, Chicago, IL 60611 from 6pm to 9pm. A Funeral mass will be held at Old St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 700 W Adams St., Chicago IL, 60661 on December 17th 2021 at 11:00am, followed by the Committal at Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville IL. Please see "Services" tab for more details.
If you'd like to send flowers, please send to the Ivy Room for the visitation on December 16th.
Tributes
"I met Karen in 2019 in Montreal after our sons football game, I instantly liked her! Her warm smile, bubbly personality, and positive outlook made an impression on me. We became football texting buddies. In May I was in Dallas and our family shared a meal, and we found we had even more in common, our faith and work. Our long distance friendship grew. I will always remember Karen?s love for her boys, her optimism, and her unwavering faith. I picture her hearing those words we all long for, ?well done my good and faithful servant.? May she Rest In Peace."
"Karen was a sponsor in my RCIA class when I joined the Catholic Church. We spent many many months around a U shaped table learning about the Catholic faith and traditions.( I was Born into a protestant family.) Through those many months we all grew into a family/community of faithful believers. Karen often talked about her boys to us. Several of her boys were the age of some of our children and they had played sports with our kids. Karen was at every game, every benefit,church event, school event supporting those boys. I also remember her smile. I am deeply sorry for the loss of our friend, sister, daughter and most of all mother to those boys. She is very proud of you boys. I will be praying for you all."
"I met Karen as my representative through our works. At the time in Toronto, now I'm living in Montreal and have also seen Karen's love and support for her boys, constantly. Every time Karen visited my work; it was like she never left. She spoke kindly of everyone and spoke about her family so much it made me feel like I knew all of you. Never will be forgotten, Karen left an impression on my life even living in different countries. My deepest condolences. "
"I met Karen when our boy?s played high school football together. She was a beautiful soul inside and out, she had a great energy about her and I could tell her faith in God was strong. May she rest in the Arms of Jesus ? "
"I was a high school friend of your mothers. As friends only, we saw Saturday Night Fever, in tge theater in 1977. She was kind and full of good vibes. Very sorry to hear of her passing. My sincere condolences. "
"Karen was the best boss I ever had - but soon we became good friends even after I moved on from the company we both worked at. I looked up to her so much. She was like an older sister I wish I had and pretty much a mother figure to me, especially when I lost my own mother to cancer. She was classy, beautiful, sweet, smart, generous, fun, talented and so much more. She threw me an amazing engagement party 21 years ago in her beautiful home in Naperville. She was so proud of her sons and I loved hearing what they were up to when we?d catch up. I had hoped to fly to Texas to see her home and have some cocktails by a pool one day. I will treasure all the giggles we had over drinks (she was always laughing) and the serious talks about life. She always gave me great advice and I will miss her dearly! Prayers to her close friends and family in this time of tragedy."
"I met Karen while we were both working seasonally at Pottery Barn, and then full-time together. Always kind, thoughtful, and helpful, she was a favorite member of the staff. I'm stunned that such a vital and vibrant individual is gone. She loved her boys tremendously. "
"I met Karen in the mid two thousands when her sons were in high school. She was such a very nice lady. We worked together on the High School Boosters and she was dedicated to her sons. I am so saddened of her passing. We kept in contact through the years, and will be missed by myself and so many others."
"I met Karen in 2016 while visiting in the office in Schaumburg and we had worked on numerous projects until her departure in late 2019. We had wonderful memories when she came to visit Hawaii numerous times. She was very proud of her "boys" and she could not speak enough of their accomplishments. Her heart was always in the right place and we became quite close across the miles. I am heartbroken to hear of her passing but I'm certain her boys have obtained a fierce warrior and guardian angel in heaven. Rest in peace Karen. With my deepest sympathy and condolences. Maria Roy"
"We were heartbroken to hear of Karen?s passing. As our next door neighbor and friend, we will miss her beautiful bright smile, her warm, welcoming personality, and the many conversations we had in our front yards. She was especially proud of introducing her incredibly delightful sons when they visited. Our hearts go out to them and all of Karen?s family and friends. We were blessed to have been her friend and we will miss her so much."