Those who touch our lives, stay in our hearts forever.
Obituary
Karen Marie (Ludwig) Dufour passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024 after a stroke brought closure to her journey with Alzheimer's and dementia. Throughout Karen's 70 years, she was known for her overflowing kindness, grace, artistic talent, her love of family and friends, and most of all her love for the Lord.
Born in Hollywood, California, Karen spent her early years in Anaheim living with her mother Maxine, father Ken and her brother and sister Craig and Linda. She began drawing and painting at an early age, a talent acquired from her father, and she was part of the drill team at Villa Park High School.
When Karen was 18, she met and married her first husband and soon after in 1973, her first daughter Shannon was born. Karen's marriage ended, but God had other plans for her. While out square dancing with her sister in November of 1974, Karen met Michael Dufour and the two were enamored with one another. Married on December 24th, just 6 weeks after meeting, Karen and Michael maintained a long-lasting marriage of almost 44 years up until Michael's passing in 2018. In 1977, Karen welcomed her second daughter, Alicia. Karen and Michael together raised their two daughters while building a home filled with both challenges and blessings, teaching their daughters how to be strong and independent women.
In 1992, Karen was baptized at Victoria Community Church, and became an integral member of the church. She volunteered her time as a costumer for their theatrical productions, was involved in many bible studies and served as a Stephens Minister to provide care for others who were hurting.
While Karen was primarily a homemaker, she did work briefly in a medical office. Her passion, however, was her sewing and textile crafts. Karen was a expert quilter and seamstress. She knit, crocheted, made porcelain dolls, made her own lace, dyed silks, and the list goes on and on. She pursued her Master Craftsman through the Embroiderers' Guild of America , as well as fashion design at Chaffey College. Her cherished friendships often blossomed through similar interests and those she held with Bonnie, Connie and Heidi continued across the years and Karen's relocation to Texas in 2006. It was in Texas that she also built new, lifelong friendships with Martha, Helena, and Francis, plus countless others through her knitting and Mahjong groups.
Once Karen and Michael arrived in Texas, they started to travel. They frequented Paris, but also took multiple cruises throughout Europe. Karen's travels included many trips with friends to places like England and Cape Cod. She also traveled with family, often Janine and Jerome Dufour, to places like Thailand. Some of her favorite trips were those she took with her daughters, traveling to Italy and Paris with Alicia, and climbing a Mayan temple in Belize with Shannon.
In 2023, Karen relocated back to California to be closer to family and to transition into Pacifica Senior Living, a memory care community in Riverside. It was here that she continued to pursue her art, as well as share her kind, caring and nurturing spirit. Her loving and vibrant personality affected the lives of the other residents and their families, as well as the caregivers. After grieving the passing of Michael for several years, Karen also found love again at her community and was truly happy at the time of her passing.
Karen is survived by her children, 3 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, 2 step-great granddaughters... and 3 grand-puppies. Karen's legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, the values she upheld, and the love she shared. She will be deeply missed but forever cherished.
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Karen will be interred with Michael at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas (Section N5, Site 497). Due to the diverse geographic locations of Karen's friends and family, a formal memorial service will not be held. Instead we invite her loved ones to share your your memories or condolences for the family by clicking the SHARE button below. Please feel free to include photos or videos to help keep Karen alive for all who visit this page.
as I was for her. We spent hours just sitting and visiting in either house. One day she said that she thought of me as her sister. We decided then and there that we were "chosen sisters". The kind you choose not the blood ones. We loved each other very much. I will miss her until we meet again.
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Your generous donation will serve as a meaningful tribute, perpetuating the spirit of Karen by supporting a meaningful cause. Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Karen embodied throughout her life.
