Karen Lee (Strefling) Zobel

Karen Lee Zobel, 78, of Tipton, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, April 27, 2019 only 9 ½ weeks after the death of her husband, Richard. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 10:30 am at the United Methodist Church in Tipton with Rev. Steve Pudinski and Brian Hamiel officiating. Burial will follow in the Rochester Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Fry Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com. A memorial fund has been established for the Down’s Syndrome Foundation of Florida in honor of her grandson, Lucas Pellegrino.

Karen Lee Strefling, daughter of Albert Louis and Edna Mabel Born Strefling, was born on March 25, 1941 in Blue Island, Illinois. Karen was united in marriage to Richard Paul Zobel on September 3, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois. Karen and Richard moved to Tipton in 1970 where they raised their three children, Paula Jo, Tracy and Jon. Karen was a homemaker for her family and a helpmate for her husband. Karen loved music. She played the dulcimer and sang in the church choir for years giving her talents back to God from where they came. Karen was a member of the Tipton United Methodist Church, the UMW and the Cedar County Piece Makers.

Karen is survived by her daughters, Paula Jo and husband, Doug Katutis of Winter Garden, Florida and Tracy Pellegrino of West Melbourne, Florida; her son, Jon and his wife, Amy, of Tipton; 9 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on February 20, 2019, and her brother, Roger Strefling, her son-in-law, Chris Pellegrino and grandson, James.