Karen Buwe Dietz

1951 - 2020

Karen Buwe Dietz passed away peacefully at home Saturday evening August 1 surrounded by her husband and children. Born July 14, 1951, Karen was the daughter of the late Nicholas Cyril and Emma Will Buwe. Beloved wife of Thompson Mack Dietz, IV for 48 years, Karen is survived by and loving mother of Rebecca Dietz Bogle (Thomas C.) of Vienna, Va., Thompson Michael Dietz (Christen Hill) of Verona, N.J., Kevin Nicholas Dietz (Amanda Hazel) of New Orleans, and Elizabeth Dietz Van Bebber (Garrott) of Lafayette, La. Affectionately known as "The Mia", Mia was blessed with and adored by her grandchildren, Brian Thomas Bogle, Emily Dietz Bogle, Violet Grace Dietz, Vivienne Rose Dietz, Eleanor Beatrice Dietz, Charles Nicholas Dietz, Madeleine Hazel Dietz, Thompson MacDonald Dietz, Emma Jewel Van Bebber and George Thomas Van Bebber. She is additionally survived by sisters Susan Buwe Butzman (the late Joseph, Sr., "Joe") of Metairie, La., Cheryl Buwe Hingle (Boyd, "Buddy") of Rock Hill, S.C. and a large extended family. Karen was truly a ray of sunshine, casting her bright light upon all of us, with a beautiful smile. As someone who had met her only a few times noted in a sympathy card, "I remember her vividly. She had that way about her, leaving a lasting impression". She loved homemaking, creating floral arrangements, her garden, relaxing on the patio with her husband Tommy and an icy schooner of Blue Moon after working in their yard, waking up with a sudoku puzzle every morning, playing computer games on her laptop, occasional visits to Beau Rivage and Las Vegas where she was master of the Slots, French 75's, Dirty Martinis, her friends, Garden Club, the LSU Tigers, attending New Orleans Saints games and, especially, family trips to the Florida beaches and mountains of North Carolina. She was a talented party planner and warm, enthusiastic hostess, along with Tommy hosting numerous family events, holiday, engagement, anniversary and birthday parties in their Upperline Street home of 37 years. Her husband, children, their spouses and her grandchildren were in any event first and foremost in her life and she was the anchor, rock and heart of the family, an always reliable, patient, loving and go-to source of good counsel, wisdom and advice. When the children would call the house and "Dad" would answer, the conversation inevitably began with, "Hey Dad. Is Mom there?" While that bright light has been extinguished, her spirit lives on within us and we will all be sustained by the enormous amount of warmth, love and happiness she showered upon us during her lifetime. The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the caregivers at the Ochsner Health Systems Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center for the expert and loving care rendered to Karen, in particular Dr. John Cole, Erica Doubleday, N.P., Dana Delise, R.N., and the nurses of the Oncology Infusion Center. Karen and her family were comforted in her final days by the prompt, all- encompassing and personal care rendered by Notre Dame Hospice. Given current COVID-19 restrictions, funeral services will be private, date to be determined. In the way of contributions or donations in Karen's memory, Second Harvest Food Bank, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Notre Dame Health Systems (Hospice) suggested though any charity of your choice appreciated.