Karen Drysdale

Karen S. Drysdale, 58, passed Friday, January 31, 2014 in Durango, Colorado, A Celebration of Life service will be February 7th, 2014, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Alamosa , Colo., at 2pm. Karen was born September 1, 1955 in Casper, Wyoming the daughter of Dwight and Norma Sechrist. She grew up on a homestead outside of Casper, Wy., and the family later moved to La Junta, Colo. Karen graduated from La Junta High School in 1973. She was married to Edward Drysdale on January 5, 1974, also in La Junta and that is where she and Ed started their family. They moved to Monte Vista in 1995. In her career, Karen was the Town Clerk and Recorder for Cheraw, Colo. She was creative and crafty as she enjoyed scrapbooking and creating crafts. She was a member of the Episcopal Mission in the San Luis Valley. It was with the church and the local food bank that she, Ed and their family hosted a weekly community meal. Karen was active in the San Luis Valley Multiple Sclerosis Society where she diligently produced the Newsletter as well as participated in the administration. Karen had the `What a Wonderful World' outlook and determination to live life to the full was truly an inspiration to her family and friends. She knew her time on earth was limited, yet she remained strong and vibrant. We don't mind saying that we down right proud of Karen for her consistent high spirits, optimism, and fearlessness. Her strength was stronger than any superhero. She remained our bright ray of sunshine! She was immensely comforted by the unwavering assurance that God was ultimately in complete control of everything, and that He held her hand as she journeyed through the valley of the shadow of death. Karen was a proud grandparent and faithful mom. She is survived by her three children: Neal Drysdale of Durango, Colo., Leane De Herrera (Chuck) of La Plata, N.M., and Jami Duran (Dusty) of Monte Vista, Colo., a brother: Mike Sechrist (Nancy)of Monte Vista, and grandchildren: Caden Drysdale, D.J. Duran, and Jayden Duran.She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed, due to a tragic car accident they were involved in 2004, her parents, and her beloved friend and therapy dog, Dozier.