Karen Ann Vander Veen, age 71, a long-time resident of Bolingbrook, formerly of Lisle, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2020. She was born on February 28, 1949 in Evergreen Park, IL to James “Roy” and Geraldine “Jerry” (nee Arnold) Kroener. Beloved wife of Charles “Chip” Vander Veen, who she married on November 19, 1993, in Wheaton, IL, step-mother of John (Beata) Vander Veen, step-grandmother to Cody and Joshua Vander Veen, step-great-grandmother to Brandon, Sophia and Christian. Karen is also survived by her mother, and her brother Roy (Cynthia) Kroener. She was preceded in death by her father. Karen grew up in Lisle, and attended Lisle Community High School class of 1967. She went on to take classes in accounting and finance at the College of DuPage. Karen worked as an executive assistant at AM Castle Metals for forty-three years until her retirement in September of 2012. She met her love Chip Vander Veen shooting trap, an activity they both enjoyed. She enjoyed competing and won several trap competitions. In addition to shotgun sports Karen enjoyed going to the drag races at Route 66 Raceway and could be found among the spectators every year. Above all Karen enjoyed spending time with her family. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2020, 1:00-6:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020, 10:00 AM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville. A private family burial will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. For more information, please visit www.friedrich-jones.com or call (630) 355-0213.