Karen Zawasky, née Kulas, age 58, of Belleville, Ill., born May 6, 1960 in Park River, North Dakota, passed away Monday morning, August 20, 2018 after a courageous battle against cancer.

The oldest of four, Karen graduated from Gadsden High School, Gadsden, Ala., and earned her nursing degree from University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She worked as a nurse for a few years before turning to her true passion of being a mother to Amy and Matt, and fulfilling the role of supportive military spouse.

While living in Gadsden, Karen was an active volunteer at the Center of Concern and shared her time and resources while helping the homeless and less fortunate throughout the community. Throughout her many moves as a military spouse, she made friends across the globe, especially while stationed in England, a home which she dearly loved. Her generous spirit found many ways to help others; locally, at Scott AFB, she was a valued volunteer at the Scott AFB Consignor Thrift Shop for the past 20 years and made wonderful friends through their combined volunteerism.

Karen was hopeful and brave during her fight against cancer, and as a survivor, was a strong supporter of O'Fallon's Relay for Life team "United We Stand." She was a parishioner at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Shiloh, where she raised her children and volunteered at the chicken dinners. Karen loved puzzles, crafts, yard-saling with her friends, and sending funny and poignant greeting cards.

She was preceded in death by her brother Keith Kulas, and her former husband John Zawasky.

Surviving are her children Amy Zawasky (fiancé Joseph Matschiner) of St. Louis, Mo., Matthew Zawasky of O'Fallon; parents Leonard John and Judith Rae, née Maier, Kulas, of Gadsden, Ala., brother Kane Kulas, sister Kathy Kulas, and brother-in-law Mark Zawasky.

In lieu of flowers and other gifts, memorial donations are suggested to "O'Fallon Relay – United We Stand in memory of Karen Zawasky."

https://secure.acsevents.org/ site/SPageServer pagename= relay_donate_now&PROXY_TYPE= 22&PROXY_ID=2362900&FR_ID= 92000

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Friday, August 24, 2018 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 205 Rasp Street, Shiloh, Ill., followed by Memorial Mass at 7:00 pm, with Msgr. James Margason presiding. A reception will follow. Burial of cremated remains will take place at a later date.