Karen Fronczak

Karen Fronczak leaves her family with the wonderful gifts of being a strong faith-filled role model and an exceptionally committed person to the community she loved. Known for her sincere generosity and always putting others first, Karen would do anything to help others in need. She treasured the time she spent with her family and was immensely proud of each and every one of them. She will be deeply missed by her special friends and family.

Reflecting on the 1930s, America was facing challenging times. Clarence and Mabel (Wood) Sivertsen welcomed home their daughter, Karen May in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born the youngest of three children, her birth brought much hope and happiness to challenging times.

Growing up at 3633 34th Avenue South, in Minneapolis, Karen lived a challenging childhood like many of the times. Karen lost her older sister at a very young age and her brother developed a mental disability as a boy, this led to her deep empathy and care of all around her. Her father worked hard as a salesman at the local shoe store and her mother worked as a bookkeeper. As a young child, Karen was a self-described tomboy. She loved being outdoors and especially enjoyed visiting many of her uncle’s farms across northern Wisconsin. Her lifelong love for driving started during these years learning to drive her first car on the farm. She took piano lessons and enjoyed participating in sports. Karen enjoyed playing basketball, tennis and loved snow skiing. After high school, she set off to the University of Minnesota where she studied in Nutrition. Karen never stopped learning and continued to be a student of vitamins and holistic health to keep her and her family healthy. Karen settled on a few random jobs before she landed at International Milling, specifically with the Robin Hood Flour Division. During this time, Karen developed a revolutionary “cool rise” method for baking bread which received much accreditation and honor with the baking community. She also was the star of many demonstration videos, which included a Norwegian Cooking show which was also very popular in the industry.

On a ski trip to Sun Valley, Idaho in 1962, she met Robert Fronczak who would change the course of her life forever! Immediately struck by her beauty, Bob asked her out to dinner. They hit it off right from the start and kept a long-distance romance for six years before he proposed. Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis was the perfect setting for their December 7, 1968, wedding ceremony. The happy couple honeymooned in beautiful Jamaica before settling back in an apartment in Park Ridge, Illinois. Later, they purchased their first home in Park Ridge. In love with the area, Bob and Karen attended South Park Church right across from their house where they were active members for many years. Together, they raised three wonderful children.

As a mother, Karen was very involved with her children’s active lives. She loved to play games with them and teach them how to bake and craft. As a family, they took many road trips to visit relatives in Minnesota and friends across the Midwest. She also loved Lake Michigan and spending time on the beach, where she would collect the perfect rocks she could color and put her favorite Bible verses on. Christmas time was very special to her and she was known to run out even on Christmas Eve to find the perfect gift. Being surrounded by her loved ones was the highlight of her years.

Karen kept active well into her later years. She loved to make jewelry and even started up her own business, King and Karen Creations, to sell her beautiful Gemstone jewelry. She also loved to plant in her flower beds, ride bikes, and play the piano. Karen was a fun-loving grandmother and enjoyed imaginative games with her grandchildren. She loved to spoil them and make them feel special. Described as kindhearted, compassionate, and caring, Karen accepted all others. She was often the glue that kept her family together during challenging times and her thoughtfulness was a beautiful example of how much she treasured her close friends and family. Over the past few years, her health declined as a result of a stroke she suffered twenty years ago. She and Bob moved to be closer to their daughter, Kirsten in Grand Rapids, where they continued their love of eating out and spending time with their grandkids. As avid music lovers, she and Bob also enjoyed attending the local symphony as often as possible. Eventually, they made their home at Covenant Living, joining Tim’s God Parents and longtime friends from Park Ridge. Throughout her life, Karen leaned on her faith and never wavered in her beliefs. Deeply loved, there is no doubt that she will be missed. May her loved ones cherish the many warm memories she leaves behind.

Karen M. Fronczak, of Grand Rapids, MI went to her heavenly home, on March 30, 2022, with her loving family by her side. Karen was born in Minneapolis, MN to the late Clarence and Mabel (Wood) Sivertsen. She was a gifted artist and baker, creating jewelry or baking bread was what she loved to do. Karen had a servant's heart and will be remembered for her kindness and gentle spirit. On December 7, 1968, she married Robert Fronczak. Her husband of 53 years survives, as do their children, Paul (Stacey) Fronczak of Charlotte, NC, Kirsten (Rick) Lein of Byron Center, Tim (Kate) Fronczak of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Nathan, Kaitlyn, Jarod, Noah, Karsten, Kara, Samantha, Emilie, Kaden, Caleb; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. According to her wishes, cremation will take place. Interment will be in Kent Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will be held this spring. Memorials may be made to Moody Bible Radio. To leave a memory or condolence please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.