Karen Sue Waldron Eggert passed away on May 8, 2026, and had requested that only immediate family gather for her funeral. Karen was a loving wife to Charlie for 53 years, who she married on August 5, 1972 in East Peoria, Illinois. Karen and Charlie met in college on a blind date. They are the proud parents of Jeremy (Lisa) Eggert and grandchildren Lorelei Stallcup (Carson) and Alexander Eggert.

Born February 27, 1950 in Peoria, Illinois during the championship game for Bradley University, making it hard to get a doctor for her birth. She graduated in the top 10 from East Peoria High School in 1968. She then attended the University of Illinois and graduated in 1972 with a B.A. in Latin Teaching and Classical Studies. During her studies she spent a semester studying in Rome, Italy - a highlight in her education. After she finished the semester in Rome, she traveled throughout Europe for three months finishing her journey in London, England. Later in her career, Karen attended Bradley University and completed her MBA Degree. 

Karen had many interesting and challenging jobs during her career. She began with being a computer support analyst with Burroughs Corporation, installing and supporting software at banks around central Illinois. Later she would do similar work for Midwest Financial Group, which at the time was “cutting edge” software. She became the Director of Heartland Freenet, one of the very first freenets in the country, even receiving recognition from Al Gore. Finally, she accepted a Systems Analyst position at Caterpillar were she became certified as a Change Master, which allowed her to facilitate organizational changes across the corporation.

Karen loved her immediate and extended family, they were a joy for her. She loved being with people and in the Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores (BMS - The Villages, FL), she played Mah Jongg with the ladies and couples bridge. Over the years she participated in many of the BMS social events and activities with neighbors. In her work life people respected her abilities and knew they could depend on her to get the job done.

Karen and Charlie were avid travelers, visiting over 40 countries. They had many adventures including being stranded in Egypt during the Arab Spring; spending New Years Eve in Dubai at the Hilton with a 50 course dinner; chumming for great white sharks in Australia; chasing the Northern Lights in Alaska; two safaris in Africa; over 50 river/ocean cruises; 15 visits to Hawaii; cruising around South America; visiting the majority of European Countries; and running away from COVID-19 during a cruise in southeast Asia. On their final Mediterranean cruise, she suffered a stroke and heart attack. Three months later she suffered a brain bleed which led to a prolonged illness and her declining health. 

Karen has joined her parents, Jean and Harold (Red) Waldron who proceeded her in death. She is survived by husband Charles Eggert, son Jeremy (Lisa) Eggert, grandson Alexander Eggert, granddaughter Lorelei Stallcup (Carson), and sister Rhonda (Paul) Ganyard.