Karen Semancik

Karen Semancik, 76, of Huntley, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on August 29, 2025. She is survived by her husband, J Semancik; her daughters, Julie Wade and Carolyn (Mike) Sasse; her brothers, Ken (Sherry) Rattay and Denny (the late Lynda) Rattay; her grandchildren, Connor, Myla, Layton, and Addy; her nephews, Denny Jr. (Julie), Matt (Sedny), and Kyle; her grand-niece, Ella, and her grand-nephews, Meier and Xzander.

She was born on November 14, 1948, in Gary, Indiana to John and Marianne (Jakab) Rattay. She married the love of her life, John "J" Semancik, in Gary, Indiana in 1975. The couple recently celebrated 50 years together. Over the course of her 30-year teaching career, Karen taught at several elementary schools and earned numerous prestigious awards including the Crystal Bell Award, in recognition of her teaching excellence. Her creativity and passion made her a standout educator, consistently finding imaginative ways to bring social studies to life—most memorably through her beloved 'Colonial Days' experience. Following retirement, Karen and J moved to Del Webb in 2008 and were parishioners of St. Mary Catholic Church. Karen was a skilled quilter, fabric artist, and crafter. She frequently attended and participated in local craft fairs. She was an avid tennis player and made many friends on the courts. She and J enjoyed taking road trips across the USA (often stopping at quilt shops along the way). Her other hobbies included gardening, reading/discussing books with her book club, watching tennis, Notre Dame football & White Sox baseball, and cheering on her grandkids at all their sporting events. Her greatest joy was her family. She was an especially devoted grandmother known fondly as “Grammy” and “Gee” and was a source of love, laughter and words of wisdom. A skilled cook and baker, her family will miss her chocolate chip cookies, homemade bread, and famous grilled cheese. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will never be forgotten.

Visitation was held on Monday, September 8, 2025, from 9am until time of Mass at 10am, at St. Mary Catholic Church - 10307 Dundee-Huntley Rd, Huntley, IL 60142. A private family burial will be held at St. John Cemetery in Hammond, IN. Memorial donations are suggested to Gilda’s Club Chicago – an affiliate of the cancer support community.

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