Karla Frances Van Der Molen, age 77, a resident of West Chicago, IL, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

On Friday, May 2, Karla was admitted to CDH with serious breathing difficulties. Despite every effort to ease her condition, her lungs could not recover, and she was placed on a ventilator. By Saturday, it was clear that she could no longer breathe on her own. As her sedation was gently reduced, Karla became aware enough to understand her circumstances. With calm resolve, she made the decision to remove the ventilator. True to the strength and grace she carried throughout her life, Karla chose to end her battle on her own terms—with dignity, courage, and love. Before her passing, she made it known that she wished to see her loved ones, and she was able to share one last, tender moment with those closest to her.

Karla was born October 8, 1947 in Chicago.   She developed her interest in the arts at Luther North High School.

Some of her first works were pencil sketches.  She then attended an apparel design school in Chicago as she was always interested in fashion. Her professional career began at Wieboldt's Department Store.  From there she moved on to a career at Sears in Chicago and Hoffman Estates where she worked as a buyer for over 20 years.  But she never lost her interest in the arts.

She became a member of the Dupage Art League in Wheaton, which helped propel her to delve into oil paintings. She attended the Taos Art School in New Mexico to further hone her skills.  She became a gifted, prolific artist whose painting brought beauty to life.

She also loved gardening, traveling to off the beaten path places, and antiquing.  She was a member of Faith Community Church in West Chicago.

Karla is survived by her husband of almost 22 years, Gary Van Der Molen, her sister, Paula (Don) Tucker, her brother, Carl (Maureen) Sorgatz, her nieces, Maria (David) Vazquez and Donna (John) Steiner, her nephews, Ben Tucker, Ryan Sorgatz, Erik (Danelle) Sorgatz and Michael Sorgatz, four stepchildren and their spouses:  Gary J. (Fazia) Van Der Molen, Cassie (Eric) Brooks, Aaron (Laura) Van Der Molen, and Seth (Chelsea) Van Der Molen, and 7 grandchildren with all of whom she developed warm, supportive and loving relationships.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Dennis Thalman.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Faith Community Church, 910 Main St, West Chicago, IL 60185, where a funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m.  A reception will be held at Cooper's Corner, 27W150 Roosevelt Rd, Winfield, IL 60190, from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. All are welcome to join the family in honoring Karla's memory.

A livestream of the service will be available here: Funeral for Karla Van Der Molen

Memorial gifts may be directed to the DuPage Art League , ALS United or Faith Community Church .

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.