Karen B. Ladden

Beloved Mother

Karen B. Ladden, 54, of Vernon Hills, Ill., formerly of Newtown, cherished wife of Gregory C. Ladden, died May 17 at the Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care Center in Skokie, Ill. She was born in Landover, Md., on January 29, 1954, daughter of Vera (Robin) Beckman of New London and the late Ernest Beckman.

In addition to her husband of nearly 34 years and her mother, Ms Ladden is survived by her beloved sons, Ryan Ladden and Daniel Ladden, both of Vernon Hills; sister, Arlene and her husband, Michael Neiman, of Newtown; mother-in-law, Anita Ladden of St Petersburg, Fla.; and sister-in-law, April and her husband, Douglas Horst, of Delaware.

Ms Ladden was raised in New London, and graduated from New London High School and the University of Iowa, summa cum laude. She was the accounting manager for New Milford Hospital prior to moving to Vernon Hills in 1989. She was employed at the Vernon Area Public Library for many years and also volunteered her time at several schools, often reading to children. She greatly enjoyed reading, adored her pets, and was a fervent animal advocate.

Funeral services were held May 21 at the Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 West Park Avenue, Libertyville, Ill.

Memorial contributions may be made to the animal shelter Orphans of the Storm, 2200 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods IL 60015.

The Newtown Bee        May 30, 2008