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Karen Kay Hilgert, 65, of Randolph, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, January 26, 2009, surrounded by her family.

She was born January 20, 1944, in Akron, Ohio, a daughter of Herbert and Norma (nee Bailey) Palmer. Karen is survived by her loving husband of 42 years Robert Hilgert; her children: Laura (Nick) Haas of Canton, Sandra Hilgert-Ries of Rootstown, Michael (Wendy) Hilgert of Columbus, and Pamela Hilgert of Cuyahoga Falls. Also survived by 10 grandchildren; her mother Norma Palmer of Arizona; her brothers: Ray (Diane) Palmer of Arizona, and Don Palmer of Texas. She is preceded in death by her father Herbert Palmer. She considered her four children her greatest accomplishment and her grandchildren her greatest joy.

Karen graduated from Akron General Hospital School of Nursing and later completed her Bachelor's degree from Malone College of Nursing. She retired from Edwin Shaw Hospital as a nursing supervisor to assist her husband in managing Hilgert's Farm & Market. She was a member of St. Joseph's Parish in Suffield, Farm Service Agency (FSA), Randolph Zoning Board, and was a fierce advocate of farm preservation.

Karen was a beloved wife, loving mother and grandmother. She was a mentor, teacher, historian, and excellent counselor. She had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, enjoyed meeting new people and educating them about the farm, and worried more about her family and friends than herself. Though her life was cut far too short by cancer, the impact she has made on the lives around her will live on.

Cremation has taken place and friends will be received Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna. Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by Reverend Ed Wieczorek and Reverend Thomas Dyer on Saturday, 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Church, 2643 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore, OH. Final resting place will be St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Randolph Twp. Volunteer Fire Dept. Please share your memories at www.mem.com.
(Wood-Kortright-Borkoski 330-296-6436)