Karren Wonders of Aurora, IL, passed from death to eternal life on June 9, 2015, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was at home, surrounded by her beloved family and friends during her final days. Karren was born on February 1, 1947 in Gallup, New Mexico, the daughter of Yrma (Montgomery) and Alvin Wonders. She spent most of her youth in Manhattan, IL and graduated from Lincoln-Way High School in New Lenox and Joliet Junior College. Karren was a member of the Manhattan United Methodist Church. Karren met Barbara Wuchte in 1994, they celebrated their Civil Union on June 9, 2011 and they were united in marriage in 2014. Karren began working for Santa Fe Railroad in 1979, transferred to their Fort Worth, TX office in 1996 when they merged with Burlington Northern, and retired in 2002 before returning to live in Aurora. After BNSF she worked for 7 years with Plains Marketing in Naperville, IL handling their rail logistics before fully retiring in 2012. Karren loved cooking, traveling, Notre Dame football, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. She especially enjoyed trips with friends to Palm Desert, CA, an Alaskan cruise and East Coast trip with her mother, and seeing the red rocks in Sedona, AZ. Karren is survived by her wife Barbara Wuchte and their dog Kate of Aurora; her mother Yrma Wonders of Manhattan, IL; brothers Warren Wonders of Joliet and Dale (Tina) Wonders of Lake Zurich, mother-in-law Judy Wuchte of Sycamore, and sisters-in-law Kathy (Steve) Benoit of Plano and Anne Marie (Rod) Jackson of Channahon. She is also survived by 7 nieces and nephews, special aunt Esther Wuchte of Aurora, and many very special friends too numerous to mention. She is preceded in death by her father Alvin Wonders, her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The family would like to sincerely thank the loving and devoted staff at Dr. Kola's office, and the medical staff at Presence Mercy, and the VNA Hospice nurses and aides for their compassionate care. They also have deep appreciation for everyone who encouraged Karren with cards, letters and visits and freely and often expressed their love, respect and affection for her. "Wonder Woman" will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A brief visitation will be held from 1-3 pm on Sunday, June 14, 2015, which will be followed by a Celebration of Life ceremony at 3:00 pm at the Forsythe Funeral Home at 507 S. State Street in Manhattan, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karren's honor to the charity of the donor's choice. Forsythe Funeral Home 507 South State Street (Rt. 52) Manhattan, Illinois (815) 478-3321 www.forsythefuneralhome.com