Karen P Dierksen

Karen Peggy Dierksen (Foreman) was 85 at the time of her passing. Originally from Winthrop, MA Karen established her home and family in Pasadena, MD in 1967. She peacefully left this earth on November 9, 2024, at her home surrounded by love and family.

Karen was born to Juliette Nethken (Foreman) and Howard Nethken on February 19, 1939, in Winthrop, MA. She grew up in a military family and found her home all over the world. She shared many fond memories about her life in Germany, travels throughout Europe and later years as her family settled in Severna Park in the 1950’s. She was raised with her mother, Juliette Foreman and adopted father, John Foreman. She was afforded many opportunities to be exposed to arts and culture throughout her childhood, with a special love for painting and creating. She graduated high school in 1957 at Glen Burnie High School and maintained her friendships with the “57 girls” until her final days. 

Karen began working at a young age and always enjoyed interacting with people and being creative. Her first professional job was at Westinghouse in Fort Meade, MD. There she was a graphic designer, putting her amazing artistic talents to work at a young age. As years went on, she left Westinghouse to be a homemaker and mother to her children. During this time, she continued her love for creating and for decades she sold her work in fairs, shows, owned several shops and co-ops and even taught classes to others. She developed a love for antiques and art that uniquely overlapped before “shabby chic” was even a trend. She was always ahead of her time artistically and had unending knowledge of history and value in many different areas. She painted, created ceramics, dealt antiques, designed with flowers and embellished and repaired anything she found beauty in. 

Karen and Karl met in 1956 and were married on May 31, 1958, at the Fort Meade Chapel. She adored her early years as a wife and was eager to start their family together. In 1960 she became a mother, as she welcomed her first child Pama into the world. In the coming years they welcomed their sons, Randy and DJ into their hearts. DJ completed the family and together they enjoyed years together as a family of five in their Pasadena home. As years went on, she later became a grandparent, and she showered her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with the same love and unique experiences and talents she shared with her children. Karen had a special relationship with each of her children and all who knew her knew that her time with each of them was her greatest joy. 

Just as she loved family, art and antiques she had a true love for nature and the water. She was fortunate to create her family home on the Dierksen family waterfront where she enjoyed fishing, bird watching, playing with her children, hiding treasures under the pier and entertaining her family and friends. She found her peace later in life watching the boats drive past, birds fly overhead, completing a puzzle, caring for her flowers and spotting a fox from time to time. She showed her commitment and dedication to helping others through her work at Hope for All. The crew at “Hope” became family and friends to her throughout the years. 

Karen was a faithful friend, maintaining friendships for decades in all spheres of her life. She enjoyed traveling with her friends, learning from other artists and sharing her talents. She had a resilient spirit, inquisitive mind and a sense of humor that kept you on your toes. Karen was loved by many, family and friends. 

Karen was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband and several family members and friends through the years, with an especially difficult loss of her beloved grandson Seth Dierksen. 

She is survived by her step-brother, Billy Butler, children: Pama Morrow (Julie), Rand Dierksen (Candace) and DJ Dierksen (Trisha), grandchildren: Paris Quillet, Max Fischer (Annie), Danielle Dierksen, AJ Dierksen, Reed Dierksen, Jesse Dierksen (Laura) and Emmalee Dierksen, great grandchildren: Milan Jiggetts, Trace Barnett, Liana Dierksen, Levi Dierksen, Trenton Wise, Jessa Crews, Clayton Wise, Lilu Fischer, Juno Fischer, Tessa Fischer and Cora Fischer, nieces: Carole Brokas (John), Lauren McCarty, Amelia McCarty, longtime friends, Gwen McCurdy and Layde (Shugie) Parsons, a special caregiver and friend Charli Eldridge and a host of other special family and friends. 

A service to honor Karen’s life will be held on November 23, 2024, from 12pm-3:30 at McCully Polyniak & Collins Funeral Home, P.A. in Pasadena, MD. A Memorial service will begin at 3:30 pm. We welcome all family and friends to join together to honor and celebrate the life of Karen Dierksen. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Hope for All to continue the support of the mission that was so important to her. https://secure.givelively.org/donate/hope-for-all-inc