Karen M. Virnoche-Brown

Karen M. Virnoche-Brown, 71, of Oregon, Illinois, passed away peacefully at Serenity Hospice on June 2, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. Karen shared these memories before she passed:

I was born on September 2, 1954, in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, to Marie (Kornely) and Gordon Virnoche. I grew up in the exceptionally close-knit 26th Street neighborhood playing kickball in the street, sledding on Picnic Hill, and horseback riding over the hills to our Lake Michigan beaches. I loved my years at St. Luke’s and Roncalli Catholic Schools.

In 1973, during my UW Stout college years, I took time away joining my brother Keith on the road with the carnival. Keith was my best friend and always looked out for me. With Hawkeye Enterprises, I called a pinball horse derby game and met James - the love of my life. In 1975, I studied in England and traveled Europe. In 1977, I graduated from UW Stout with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, Food Service Administration. Soon after, I reconnected with James. We married in 1980 and moved into our first home in Freeport, Illinois.

In 1980, I also joined Service Direction, later ServiceMaster, where I built a rewarding career traveling across the country – and sometimes internationally – establishing new food service accounts, managing operations, and training staff. Many ServiceMaster colleagues became lifelong friends. In 1992, James and I moved to Maple Hill Farm on Mud Creek Road in Oregon, Illinois. Over the years, we welcomed hundreds of family and friends into our home (and barn.) From there, we also launched many adventures across the country and around the world.

After “retiring” in 2004, I transferred my ServiceMaster skills to serving our local community as a substitute teacher for 17 years. I built wonderful ties with families, other teachers, and staff members in local school districts including Byron and Forreston. I also enjoyed great times with neighborhood friends and members of the Lion’s Club, Byron Women’s Club, the Red Hat Society, and St. Mary’s Catholic church.

Since 1992, my life was punctuated by five cancers and other related health issues likely linked to the treatments. Those experiences were also doors to meeting and building amazing communities of friends and family who joined James and me in my own care, as well as fundraising for the American Cancer Society and Serenity Hospice & Home in Ogle County.

From the early days of barn sales and Relay for Life to the last five years of the Art Dash, we were blessed by communities who helped us raise more than $500,000.

I am survived by my husband James, my brother Keith (Lynn) Virnoche, my sister Mary (Josh Meisel) Virnoche, and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends including our “Little Brother” Toby Capion (Jeanne). I was preceded in death by my mother Marie (1998), my father Gordon (2001), my father-in-law Dale (1979), my mother-in-law Mary (2019), and my beloved English Shepherds Ivy, Healey, and Nellie.

A Rosary will begin at 10:30 am followed by an 11:00 am funeral Mass officiated by Fr. Romeo Pavino on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Byron, Illinois. The Mass will be followed by a celebration and luncheon at River’s Edge in Oregon, Illinois. A memorial Mass and gathering in Two Rivers will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon, Illinois.

https://serenityhospiceandhome.org