Karen Perry Diedrich passed peacefully at the age of 57, surrounded by family at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice in Wilmington, NC on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Her profound love for music kept her fun-loving spirit rocking into her final days.
Born April 7, 1966 in Joliet IL, she was the youngest child of the late Peter G. and LeEtta (nee Rakoski) Perry. A loving wife and mother, Karen married her beloved husband James Arthur Diedrich on October 27, 1989 and raised two devoted children, Sarah Virginia Diedrich and Grant Arthur Diedrich.
Karen was truly one-of-a-kind with a vibrant personality who brought love and laughter everywhere she travelled. She attended St. Raymond Grade School, St. Francis Academy, Joliet Central and Judson School in Paradise Valley, AZ where she became a seasoned equestrian which led to years of her caring for her horse Tobin. Karen was a competitive diving instructor at the Oakwood swim club and also worked at the Joliet tennis club. She grew up helping her father and siblings run the Plainfield Fishing Resort, where her love for deep sea fishing and the outdoors originated. In addition to her adoration of horses and sporting events, she had an affection for dogs like no other. It was only natural for those worlds to collide with her dedication to field and performance dog shows. In February 1988, Karen and her vizsla, CH Dallerry’s Hunter JH won Winner’s Dog at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Karen’s friends and family will remember her as an impeccable hostess −always welcoming others with an open door throughout her homes in Joliet, Morris and Shorewood, IL and more recently in Leland, NC. She is credited with delivering decades of unforgettable events, including hosting annual Wigilia, a Polish Christmas Eve celebration and keeping the century-old tradition of pierogi making alive within the Perry-Rakoski family. Karen loved to travel and immerse herself in culture and art. She was a craftsman, painter and designer −always making curated treasures and exquisite home furnishings. She volunteered her artistic talents to organizations and charities such as the Visitation and Aid Society where she handmade topiaries for auction, she designed custom apparel and merchandise for fundraising at her children’s sporting clubs, Joliet Jets Swim Team, Joliet Jaguar Hockey and Minooka Volleyball. Karen’s designs have graced many other programs throughout Will and Grundy Counties.
She is survived by her two children, Sarah Virginia Diedrich of Crystal Lake, IL and Grant (Jessica Watts) Diedrich of Wilmington, NC; her cherished sisters and brothers-in-law, Gregory and Susan Peyla, Jeffery and Ellen Anderson; sisters-in-law Jennifer (David) Krominga and Caryn (Ed) Fals; brothers-in-law Thomas A. Diedrich, and Robert P. Diedrich; thirteen beloved nieces and nephews: Scott (Sarah) Anderson, Melissa (Jason Dienema) Perry, Elizabeth Anderson, Seth Peyla, Bradley (Breanna) Perry, Danny (Molly Jones) Perry, Claire Anderson, Julie (Abid) Malik, Rebekah (Justin) Garza, Terrence McPeters, Jerry McPeters, Leah McPeters, Megan (John) Mutz; her treasured aunt and uncles Kathleen Ochs, Leroy J. (Joleen Scroggins) Rakoski and Ron Helmer; eight precious cousins Tom (Laura) Ochs, Karleen Ochs, Lisa (James) Battistoni, Michael Ochs, Kristen (Michael) Liyeos, Emily (Joseph) Boeh, Jim Schell, Todd (Robin) Schell; and numerous other family and dear friends.
She is preceded by her husband James A. Diedrich; her parents; her brother David L. Perry; her mother and father-in law Arthur M. and Norma (nee Fumagalli) Diedrich, two sisters-in-law Anita L. Peters and Susan Diedrich; her aunts Barbara Rakoski and Sally Helmer; her uncle Thomas Ochs; her cousin Michael “Moose” Schell; and four adoring vizslas.
Celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024, beginning with 11:30 am funeral mass at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet, IL. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to the American Kennel Club Humane Fund would be appreciated.
Mass of Christian Burial
11:30 am
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus
604 N. Raynor Avenue
Joliet, Illinois, United States
Memorial Contributions
Memorials in her name to American Kennel Club Humane Fund would be appreciated.
AKChumanefund.org/giving
Coastal Cremations 6 Jacksonville St., Wilmington NC 28403
910.392.6032
3 Comments
I am so saddened to hear of Karen’s passing. What a beautiful tribute in her obituary.
I will always remember fondly a group trip to Hawaii in 1979 that my mom organized for JJC when I met Karen. We spent time having fun on the beaches and also tried to pass ourselves off as 16 yr olds to some cute boys we met. ☺️
I had the chance to talk to her and laugh about that very memory a few years back during a long and very pleasant phone conversation with her, also catching up on her life in NC. She shared her immense passion for horses and how much joy they brought her.
I’ll cherish that last conversation and smile at the outgoing and fun personality she brought to so many people’s lives.
Prayers to her family at this difficult time. 🙏
I am so saddened to hear of Karen’s passing. What a beautiful tribute in her obituary.
I will always remember fondly a group trip to Hawaii in 1979 that my mom organized for JJC when I met Karen. We spent time having fun on the beaches and also tried to pass ourselves off as 16 yr olds to some cute boys we met. ☺️
I had the chance to talk to her and laugh about that very memory a few years back during a long and very pleasant phone conversation with her, also catching up on her life in NC. She shared her immense passion for horses and how much joy they brought her.
I’ll cherish that last conversation and smile at the outgoing and fun personality she brought to so many people’s lives.
Prayers to her family at this difficult time. 🙏
I am so so sorry to read of Karen’s passing. Karen was my best friend when we were very little. We would draw cities with chalk, “swim” in little plastic wading pools, and ride our bicycles. It was Karen who encourages my sister and me to join Oakwood. Karen’s parents were always so kind, and for the longest time I still had an album of Karen’s father’s band. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers (no the other Red Hot Chilli Peppers :)). Then it was great to be at Joliet Central together! It was so lovely to reconnect with Karen some years ago, and to reminisce about our childhoods, and to hear about Karen’s wonderful life. Karen brought such joy into the world. She brought love to her husband, to her children, and to her friends, and to her dogs! The world lost a lovely soul, but Heaven gain a wonderful soul, and all of the Vizslas in Heaven are wagging their tails and happy to see her. Rest in peace, Karen.
Add Condolence Message