Karen Anne Paredes

Karen Anne Paredes, age 82, peacefully passed away in her home on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. Karen Anne West was born the youngest of four children in Seattle Washington July 28, 1942 to Carl West and Hazel Johnson whose parents immigrated from Finland.

Karen lived her youth near the coasts of Washington and Oregon and graduated from Albany, Oregon high school in 1961 and continued on to become a registered Cosmetologist. She practiced in that field for some years until she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1980. 

At 21, she started her family when she married Oscar "Leo" Leopoldo Paredes in Albany, Oregon. There, they had their first daughter, Dana, and as a new family they moved to El Paso, Texas and had their second daughter, Darci.

Karen and Leo raised their family in El Paso, and she enjoyed being a homemaker, a PTA leader, and a Girl Scout County Chairwoman. She enjoyed bowling at a championship level, sewing for her girls, baking, gardening, and family camping. When they moved to Arlington, Texas in 1974 she practiced as a stylist at JC Penny Hair Salon until she was diagnosed. She then became a volunteer and advocate of the United Way National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Though she lived with MS, she continued a happy life full of children and grandchildren. Her faithful husband cared for her until his passing in 2023. Afterwards, she was able to stay home and be cared for by her children. Karen maintained a positive outlook with love and acceptance, always saying "I'm not sick, I just have MS". Her mindset showed us that joy is in the moment and life is what you make it.

Karen is survived by her daughters, Dana Paredes and Darci Herr, and grandchildren, Hunter Banks, Austin Herr, Adam Herr & Carly Herr and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Karen will be laid to rest at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery next to her husband Leo.