Karen Elaine Chidester, age 77, was born on February 1, 1947, in Fort Knox, Kentucky,  to Lt. Col. William and Rita (Carrol) Englert. Karen passed away unexpectedly on September 15, 2024.

Growing up, Karen attended numerous overseas United States military base schools, Cathedral High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated in 1965 from Satellite High School, in Satellite Beach, Florida. After high school, she worked as an executive secretary at Cape Kennedy Space Center, commuting to work with her father, an engineer, during the Apollo Moon Launch Era.  In 1967, Karen married Jerry Chidester, and the couple moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. and had three daughters, Kellie, Jennifer, and Allyson – the “Three Sistie-Uglers.”  In Salt Lake City, she worked first as a full-time mother until her youngest entered school. When the family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1985, she returned to the workforce in varying office positions. In 1991, she began working as an executive assistant for the General Growth Company, owners of West Roads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska, until returning to southwest Florida in 2001. There, she worked as the athletic secretary for North Port High School where she made countless lifelong friends, until her retirement on June 23, 2011.

A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Karen excelled at supporting her children and grandchildren, cheering at sporting events, musical productions and regularly rewarding their academic successes. An expert at organizing, and attending family events, “Big Red” as she was affectionately known, led with her laughter, and sparked everyone to come together.  Along with Jerry, her beloved brother “Timmy” and his wife Rhonda, her “Best Buddy,” she traveled the world on dozens of cruises. She loved pool parties, holidays, Italian family feasts, and Thanksgivings with family on the east coast of Florida – especially if it included a trip to the flea market.  Delighted with birthday and holiday traditions, her gifts were always top-notch. At Christmas, she delighted in outfitting the grandkids in onesies – even donning the Christmas Story’s bunny costume, herself.

When not rewatching Tremors, Law & Order: SVU, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, or Mama Mia, she enjoyed crafting stunning beauty in her garden-scaped yards, decorating with flamingos, loving all of her kitty cats, going for a “boat ride,” and enjoying the wine she believed was divine!

She leaves, as her legacy, her loving husband Jerry of 57 years; three daughters Kellie Chidester (Flint) Shoop, Jennifer (Dennis) Bell, Allyson Chidester; four grandchildren Kylie (Nick) Amuso, Wesley Bell, Katelyn McIntosh, and Brendan McIntosh; one great-grandson “JJ” Johnathan James; one brother Timothy (Rhonda) Englert; fives nieces Jill Burton, Holly Kirby, Julie Bradford, Holly Bouchard, and Traci Kelley. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, William and Rita Englert (Carrol).

The sparkle of her sky blue eyes is gone too early, but in every sunset we’ll see her red-head and Merlot hues. On the wings of flamingos and red cardinals we will feel her warmth, hear her laughter, “Hold On” to her in our hearts, and miss her as deeply as she is loved.

A celebration of Karen’s life will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at the Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Boulevard, Venice, Florida. Family and friends are welcome from 4:30 to 8 p.m. A buffet dinner will start at 5:15 and a shared celebration of Karen will begin at 6:30.  Guests are encouraged to dress in “cruise casual” attire, bring their laughter, and their memories (pre-written or spontaneous) to share with everyone. We may cry, but we will definitely celebrate her incredible joy and love.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/donate/. Please use the ‘In Memoriam’ link toward the bottom of the site’s ‘other ways to donate’ page. 

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family.  Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.