Karen Ann Sandoval Baker, 57, of St. Charles, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, August 21, 2014, at home following a long and valiantly fought battle with cancer. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at Christ the King Catholic Church, Moline, IL. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. Visitation will be Monday 4:00 P. M. until 7:00 P. M. at Moss-Norris Funeral Home, 100 S. Third Street (three blocks west of the river and one block south of Rt. 64) in St. Charles. Additional visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 P. M. until 7:00 P. M. at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, IL, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 P.M. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. Karen was born on May 26, 1957 in Moline, IL, the daughter of Emidio and Eloise Zaragoza Sandoval. She married Jeff Baker on November 21, 1992 in California. Karen was a teacher for many years at Madison School in Wheaton, District 200. Karen graduated from United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois and attended Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal where she attained her Master's degree and teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education. She spent many years in both Illinois and Orange County, California, teaching young children with special needs. She met her future husband, Jeff, in California where they resided for several years before returning to Illinois to raise their two children, Alexandrea and Matt. Karen was a devoted and loving mom not only to her own children but to the many very special children she taught over the course of nearly 30 years. Of all things, Karen most enjoyed spending time with her children; especially traveling across the country on annual trips to Disneyland. She took great pride in all of their accomplishments but was happiest just being able to have quiet time at home with her beloved son and daughter. She delighted in family gatherings with all of her extended family and enjoyed watching all the kids grow up over the years. Karen's beautiful dark eyes, sweet smile, and loving voice will be forever missed. Survivors include her husband of 22 years, Jeff, St. Charles, children, Alexandra and Matthew of St. Charles, step-daughter, Michelle (James) Linton, California, her mother, Eloise Sandoval, Silvis, grandchildren, Ryann and Reese Linton, siblings; Elaine (Tom) Walter, Milan, Jeanette (Rod) Curtis, Naperville, Martin (Ann) Sandoval, East Moline and Kelvin Sandoval, Sterling Heights, MI. sister and brother in laws; Suzanne (Larry) Shoup, California, Jill Baker, California and Chris Baker, California. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all of whom she loved and cherished as family. She was preceded in death by her father. On line condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com.

.