Karen E. Hoefer, age 71 of Dakota, IL passed away Monday, December 16, 2019 at home. She was born on October 10, 1948 in Freeport, IL to the late Glen and Alice (Fogel) Schnitzler. Karen married George Hoefer on August 23, 1972 in Freeport.

She was a 1966 graduate of Freeport High School and later graduated from Lamolo Cosmetology School. She had started as a beautician at Ida's Beauty Shop and went on to work for several other Beauty Shops, lastly working for Park View Nursing Home for over 25 years. Karen loved reading and watching the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. She was an animal lover and especially fond of her dog, Angel. She also enjoyed riding motorcycles with her husband and was a licensed HAM Radio operator. Karen loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Christmas was always her favorite time of the year.

She is survived by her husband, George of Dakota; her three daughters, Teresa (Bill) Heinrich of Freeport, Cherie Hoefer of Freeport, and Mandi (Ken) Milliken of Freeport; her son, Steve Hoefer of Freeport; her nine grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Don and Harold "Spud" Meyers; and two sisters, Marilyn "Sis" Meyers Uhe and Marian "Cel" Meyers Fransen.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at Daughenbaugh Funeral Home in Dakota at 10:00 a.m. There will be a visitation on Monday, December 23, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. also at Daughenbaugh Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established for FHN Hospice and FHN Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center.