Karen Fulster

Karen I. Fulster, 76, of Peoria, IL, passed away peacefully at 9:40 am on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Accolade Healthcare of East Peoria. Karen was born on June 26, 1947, in St. James, New York.  She was the daughter of Hans Fulster and Mabel Fisher, who preceded her in death. She joins her beloved life partner Aaron Shelton, who also preceded her in death.  

Surviving are her four daughters: Lisa Bongiorno of Peoria, IL, Michelle (son-in-law Eric) Friedrich of Cleveland, TN, Nicole (son-in-law Gabriel) Sucre of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Denise Armstrong of Thornton, CO.  Karen also had seven grandchildren: Tabitha, Robert, James, Ryan, Shane, Lydia, and Darien, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Further surviving are two sisters, Mabel Hall of Thornton, CO, and Marie Hassett of Buffalo, NY, as well as three brothers: Hans Fulster of Thornton, CO, Kevin Fulster and Fred Fulster, both of Littleton, CO. 

In life, Karen loved her family and was known for her capacity to survive the hardships life brought her with laughter, passion, irreverence, and a hot cup of Tetley tea. She worked as a bookkeeper, enjoyed being creative, and was an avid researcher and collector of genealogy and family stories. 

In writing down some of the final thoughts and lessons of her life, Karen invites those she leaves behind to "go ahead and poke fun at my quirks; my passions; my inability to function without a cup of tea. Go ahead, ponder about my obsession with genealogy; puzzle over my shortcomings and my strengths. Go ahead and laugh. You know that I'll be laughing with you. Go ahead and cry, I'm missing you, too. If you want to honor me, remember that my life has been complete if I touched your soul, made you laugh, or if you felt loved or cared for." 

In accordance with her wishes, Karen’s family will privately celebrate her life. Affordable Funeral and Cremation Services of Central Illinois, Peoria, is assisting her family with arrangements. To honor her memory, her daughters invite you to visit www.peoriafuneral.com to share your favorite stories and memories of Karen, or to send a condolence.

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