Karen Lynn Mitterer

September 10, 1972 – September 22, 2012

Karen was born on September 10, 1972 in Hinsdale, Illinois. She attended and graduated from Grace Lutheran School and Oak Park River Forest High School. After completing her Bachelors of Art in English from Smith College, she went on to pursue a law degree from The Chicago Kent School of Law. Focusing on Special Education, Karen counseled families dealing with challenging times and acted as an advocate for those students in need. She thrived on helping others achieve success and believed that everyone deserves a chance to learn. She is survived by her parents, William Joseph Mitterer and Linda Thurber Mitterer of Kirkland, WA; a loving sister, Lauren M. Mitterer of Mount Pleasant, SC; and maternal grandmother, Ava Louise Thurber of Kirkland, WA.As aggressively as she pursued her career, Karen was also fighting a daily battle with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. After being diagnosed at 18 months of age, she flourished against all odds. Often times she was told her survival was based solely on her tenacity. She gave this disease a tough fight, and although her body succumbed in the end, her legacy of bravery, courage, wisdom, humor and her beautiful smile will live forever. We are forever changed for having known her. Memorials may be made to the Karen L. Mitterer Memorial Fund at to benefit MUSC Pediatric Rheumatology Dept, c/o First Reliance Bank, 800 S. Shelmore Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.