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Karen Ann Pinter

Oct 19, 2010

Karen Ann Pinter, 71, of Sterling died Oct. 18, 2010, in her home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Church on the Hill, U.S. 6, east of Princeton.

Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Wednesday in McDonald Funeral Home 1002 12th Ave., Rock Falls, followed at 7 p.m. by a celebration of her life service. A brief visitation also will take place 10-11 a.m. Thursday in the church.

She was born Jan. 26, 1939, in Spring Valley to John Henry and Leona Louise (Walter) Pinter.

Karen had attended a country grade school near Malden and was a graduate of Malden High School. She continued her education having graduated from Western Illinois University in 1960 with a bachelor in education with a major in English; she then continued her studies at Middlebury College having graduated with a master of arts degree in literature and later received her Ed.D in Reading Cognates at Northern Illinois University in 1985.

She began her teaching career in 1960 at Richwoods Community High School, Peoria, and later moved to Sterling, where she joined the faculty at the newly-opened Sauk Valley College in 1967. Karen remained at Sauk Valley College having attained the position of professor of academic skills, teaching college-level reading, GED preparation, children's literature and remedial reading and writing skills, retiring in 2006.

She was a baptized, confirmed and life member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Church on the Hill, east of Princeton. She was a member of the Stringalongs dulcimer group in Sterling. Karen also was involved in and a member of Sauk Valley Reading Council, Illinois Reading Council, Language Experience Special Interest Council, Northern Illinois Reading Council, International Reading Association, Language Experience Special Interest Group, American Association of University Women, Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma and Sauk Valley College Education Association.

Surviving are nine nieces and nephews, Ken (Sharon) Pinter of Mundelein, Sandy (John) Wesson of Grayslake, LuAnn (Aaron) Romine of Springfield, Kevin (Teresa) Pinter of Malden, Garry (Sarah) Pinter Vernon Hills, Larry (Joni) Pinter of Bloomington, Lisa (Jeff) Petersen of Peru, Toby Pinter of Ladd and Rachael (Josh) Palmieri of Covington, KY; three sisters-in-law: Lois Pinter of Malden, Roberta Pinter of Princeton and Marcia Pinter of Ladd; 18 great-nieces and great-nephews and six great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; as well as her many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Eugene Pinter, Wilbur Pinter and Delbert Pinter; and one niece, Gretchen Pinter.

Memorials may be directed to Whiteside County Relay For Life/ American Cancer Society and in addition, a memorial student scholarship fund will be established at Sauk Valley Community College.

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