Karen L. Murphy

Karen L. Murphy, age 75, a resident of Winfield, IL, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Born September 17, 1950 in Lynwood, CA, she was a lifelong devout Catholic and graduate of Elk Grove High School.

Karen spent her life cheering for the things she loved: music, the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks, and above all, her family. A homemaker when her children were young, she went on to work in management and restaurant positions, and eventually ran a successful electrical contracting business.

She often spent her spare time crafting, sewing, scrapbooking, and making greeting cards to send to those she loved. She loved rooting for the Cubs (especially Ron Santo and Jody Davis), and couldn't hear the Beatles, Chicago, or The Animals without cranking up the radio to sing along.

She is survived by her children Mary Beth (Rick) Hicks, Kathi (Jason) Orlowski and Jim Withington; her grandchildren Grant (Tiffany) Hicks, Nolan (Halee) Hicks, Justin (fiancée Emily Hazen) Hicks, and Grace Orlowski; her great grandchildren Ivy & Hadley Hicks; and her niece Amber (Giovanni) McCoy-Schmidt.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Dean Murphy, and her parents, C. Maureen and Richard Murphy.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, where a funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Naperville Area Humane Society or Loaves & Fishes Community Services.