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Ludwick, Karen E.

May 21, 1961 –
 March 12, 2015

Obituary

A Celebration of Life memorial service for Karen Elaine Ludwick, age 53, of Plano will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 11, 2015 at First Frisco United Methodist Church located at 7659 Preston Road, Frisco, Texas 75034 with Rev. Mark Vowell, Rev. Cathy Partridge and Rev. Mitchell Boone officiating.

Mrs. Ludwick passed away on March 12, 2015 in Plano, Texas.  Karen was born in Dallas, Texas and was a graduate of Richardson High School and the University of Texas at Dallas. Karen’s joyful and friendly personality made her one of the most kind and loving friends anyone could have. She worked for almost 20 years in the Home Division of the JCPenney Corporate Office.

Her co-workers describe Karen as a dear, sweet soul who was a joy to work with.  Karen was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed spending time with her son.  She also loved going to the beach and traveling with her family yearly to Panama City Beach, Florida. Karen was excited to vacation in Europe several times and had a great love for London.  She also enjoyed social gatherings with friends, especially when they would meet together for afternoon tea.

As a two time cancer survivor, Karen was a faithful fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life event. Her devoted team, “Karen’s Moonshadows”, included a group of her closest friends. For many years, they shared her story and raised thousands of dollars for cancer research and related programs. Karen was an inspiration to others by her strong will and courage to beat breast cancer in both 1995 and 2005. Her welcoming spirit touched a lot of hearts along her path. She will be greatly missed on this earth as heaven has a beautiful new angel.

Karen is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, James D. Ludwick of Plano, Texas; her precious son, David Ludwick; beloved parents, John and Jo Wharton; and her sister, Kathy Steele and her husband Mike Steele and their daughter, Rachel Steele all of Frisco, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in support of David’s future education. Please make checks payable to the “Karen Ludwick Memorial Fund” and deposit through any Wells Fargo Bank in the United States.

Arrangements are under the direction of
ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home
19310 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75252
214-306-6700

    Holley Howard
    21 Mar 2015
    12:28pm

    Dear James David& family,
    Karen was beautiful inside and out. Prayers that all of the precious moments & joyous years you shared together bring you comfort. Gone from our sight but, never from our hearts!
    Sincerely, Holley & Eddie

    Susan and Chuck Anderson
    21 Mar 2015
    1:39pm

    Our hearts are broken. In our hearts her spirit, laughter and zest for life will live on Sending love and prayers to Jamss and David and the whole family.

    Shirley Cordell
    21 Mar 2015
    5:55pm

    worked with Karen at JCP.. What a beautiful soul and spirit.
    God be with her family always.

    Sally Greene
    21 Mar 2015
    7:08pm

    Karen will be deeply missed. She was a true friend. We worked hard but had many many fun times too. Praying for the Ludwick and Wharton families.

    Lisa Alexander Taylor
    21 Mar 2015
    8:04pm

    Praying God’s ever-present peace comfort you in the days ahead.

    Suzanne Crawford
    21 Mar 2015
    10:06pm

    My thoughts and prayers continue for your family. I loved Karen. She was always so sweet to me. I enjoyed caring for David so much. May God be by your side through the years.

    ceil mcdermott
    22 Mar 2015
    8:36am

    To Karen’s loving family…my thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort are with all of you. Indeed, heaven does have a beautiful new angel. Remembering Karen with laughter and love….Ceil

    Susan Scullion
    22 Mar 2015
    4:47pm

    I am deeply sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort in the midst of your sorrow.

    Linda White Piper
    23 Mar 2015
    10:57am

    What a delight she was! She left us much too soon. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace.
    Linda White Piper

    Susan Clepper Sutton
    23 Mar 2015
    6:54pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Karen’s family as they begin this season without her. She was a breathe of fresh air … with a wonderful smile … We will see her again on the other side.

    Grateful for the time we had her in our life softens the lost we feel in our hearts today. Be at peace!

    Cherry Overton Haymes
    24 Mar 2015
    9:19am

    Precious Child of God, daughter of Jo & John, our thoughts and prayers for Peace are with you. Cherry & David

    Melanie Freeman
    25 Mar 2015
    11:20am

    Rest in peace, Karen. I miss you! You were a kind and genuine friend, and you didn’t deserve to suffer so. Condolences to the family, especially her young son. May God bless and protect him!

    Trish Mercer
    29 Mar 2015
    11:01am

    I met Karen through the Grey Matters support group. She was an inspiration and a shining light. When the sun goes down tonight I will look to the sky and know Karen will be the brightest star in the sky. Rest in peace Karen. Prayers for the family.

    Millie McManus
    30 Mar 2015
    7:59pm

    What a beautiful soul and spirit my friend Karen had. She was an unbelievably strong woman. I am proud to have called her a friend for almost 30yrs. I miss her, my heart is broken.
    Blessings to her family during these times.

    Cynthia and Mike Donahoo
    31 Mar 2015
    12:34pm

    My sweet cousin walked gracefully through life’s challenges, all the while allowing the light of God’s hope and love to shine. May all who seek comfort now find it in Him. Love, Cynthia and Mike Donahoo

    Bob & D. Ann Foster
    31 Mar 2015
    8:51pm

    We are both so sad for your lost.
    May peace be with all of you.

    Kate Sartor Hilburn
    4 Apr 2015
    12:35pm

    My heart is broken for Karen’s family and friends. A beautiful girl from a beautiful family. she was always a bright light.

    kay lisch
    7 Apr 2015
    2:00pm

    Sending love and light to the beautful spirit of Karen who will continue in the hearts and minds of her family and all who loved her.

    Bobbie Nehman
    8 Apr 2015
    10:42am

    As long time friends and fellow Peacemakers with Karen’s parents, we have been privileged to meet her, learn what a wonderful a person she was and how gallantly she fought her cancer. We send sincere condolences to you and your family and may her memory be a blessing.
    Bobbie and Jerry Nehman

    Charlotte Taft
    8 Apr 2015
    2:21pm

    Dearest Jo, We are heartbroken to learn of Karen’s death. Although we didn’t know her, we know you–and it is clear that your love was beautifully passed on to her. We are sending you and all of your family much love. Charlotte & Shelley

    Karen E. Strecker (Reidy)
    8 Apr 2015
    6:15pm

    Karen E. Wharton and I became good friends in fourth grade during a time when the first name “Karen” was very popular, and there were always several students who shared this name together in the same class. To differentiate, teachers would use our middle or last name initials, but Karen and I decided to rename ourselves with a series of silly-sounding rhyming names. (There was some aspect of ridiculing our teachers and their unimaginative inability to solve the multiple same name issue.) She became “Faren” ( rhymes with “Karen” ) and I think I was Darren or Sharon, depending on the day. It’s hard to explain but for some reason our nick-names struck us as hilarious at age 10 years old. I have always treasured Karen’s humor, her kindness and warmth, and her friendship. I was so shocked and saddened to learn that she is now with the Angels, but know that there are bean-bag frogs in heaven.

    Claire Gauntlett
    10 Apr 2015
    5:10pm

    JD – Just want you to know I’m thinking of you and David. Wish I had known Karen. She sounds wonderful.

    Jodie Dejecacion
    10 Apr 2015
    8:01pm

    James and Kathy,
    As I grieve with you, please know that I am here for you. I must reiterate what all have said. Karen had such a beautiful soul and was one of the most kindhearted individuals I have ever had the privilege to care for. I will not forget her.

    David Freeman
    12 Apr 2015
    12:34am

    There are no words that can describe how I felt upon hearing of Karen’s passing. Still, even today at her memorial service, I still could not find the words to properly express my condolences and sympathy to her family. I met Karen, James and David almost 5 years ago after my wife Melanie first met Karen when picking up our children from a church summer camp. David and our children became friends and soon were playing on the same soccer team. My family was lucky enough to spend some time with them during soccer practices, soccer games, birthday parties, Halloween, the 4th of July, and swimming at the local pool. Melanie and Karen would regularly meet for lunch. Throughout the entire time that I was blessed to have known her, I was always taken aback by her kindness, her caring ways towards David and to all of those around her, and her ever positive attitude. Her impression on me was so great that I had to question my own attitude and outlook on life. I will always remember her for the way she chose to live life and the way she always smiled and genuinely cared for others. Thank you Karen for always asking me how I was feeling, and for showing such kindness in so many ways. While this world desperately needed you in it, heaven is a better place for having you there.

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