Karen M. Lennes

Karen M. Lennes, 54, a resident of Round Lake Beach, IL, passed away May 4, 2025, at her home. She was born July 27, 1970, in Camden, NJ, to Craig and Cheryl Hammond.

Karen was known to all as a fierce advocate for her family, students, and community. She received her Bachelor's in Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and was a proud Delta Zeta sister. She later received her Master's in Education from Augustana College. As an educator, Karen thrived; she had a genuine passion for teaching and unconditional love for her students. She spent the majority of her career at Thompson Elementary in Lake Villa School District #41 on their fifth grade team. She always sought to "change her little corner of the world," and she did – Karen worked tirelessly to create a classroom which was a safe space for all, especially for LGBTQ+ students. This work extended to her daily life where she was an active member of her community and local PFLAG organization. She always brought joy and laughter to the world around her and made sure that absolutely everyone was included in that joy. Karen will be remembered for her bright smile, her bad puns, her love of the Beatles, and walking her dog all around the neighborhood, rain or shine.

Karen is survived by her parents Craig and Cheryl Hammond, her children Scott Lennes, Amanda Lennes, and Charles Lennes, her siblings Michelle (Jeffrey) Hammond-Goddard, Kimberly (Alan) Webb, and Mark (Jennifer) Hammond, her nieces and nephews Amber Goddard, Joshua (Mikayla) Goddard, Summer Goddard, Taylor (Sara) Webb, Jake (Amber) Webb, Josephine Hammond, and Eve Hammond, and her great-nephews Lucas Goddard, Henry Goddard, Will Webb, James Webb, and Aaron Webb.

A visitation is scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2025, at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 from 2:00pm until 8:00pm. The Funeral Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10:00am at Prince of Peace Catholic Church 135 S. Milwaukee Ave. Lake Villa, IL. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PFLAG https://pflag.org/ , the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847) 223-8122.

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