ROLLING MEADOWS - Karen S. Draeger, 56, of Elgin, passed away on Wednesday morning, July 15th at Presence Saint Joseph Hospital. She was born August 24, 1958 in Chicago, the daughter of August K. and Christel K. (Kappe) Draeger. She moved to Rolling Meadows at an early age and graduated from William Frend High School in 1976. Karen lived most of her life in Rolling Meadows and later Arlington Heights. She had recently moved from Deer Path of Huntley to a nursing facility due to her inability to remain ambulatory. She was a lover of people and animals and was quick to laugh. Although ill for a majority of her life, she rarely complained and always maintained a sunny disposition. She enjoyed bingo, horses, and the racetrack. She loved to travel and had been active in the Northwest Special Recreation in Arlington Heights which made much of her travel possible. She is survived by her mother, Christel Draeger of Huntley, her brother, Carl (Sherry) Draeger, nephew, Randall J. Draeger and niece, Carlie L. Draeger all of Elgin, her uncles, Gerhard (Gale) Kappe of Oak Park, Ruediger (Karin) Kappe of Buchanan, Michigan and her aunt, Heike (Robert) Pfeiffer of San Marcos, California.