Karen L. Dillon

Karen L. Dillon, age 83, of Dubuque and formerly of East Dubuque, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Stonehill Health Center. To celebrate Karen's life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at St. Raphael Cathedral, 231 Bluff Street, with Rev. Dennis J. Quint officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Karen was born on August 24, 1942, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of George and Frances (Junk) Sear.
Karen graduated from Nativity Grade School and the Academy of the Visitation. While she was in school she worked at Mt. Carmel and at a law firm downtown, taking the 4th street elevator to get to work. Karen married the love of her life, Patrick L. Dillon, on August 26, 1961, at Nativity Church and became a full time wife, mom and homemaker. She took great pride in caring for her family. Later in life she went to work as a teller at DB&T. Karen was always very involved in Pat's activities, ranging from the Women's Auxiliary Local 94 to the Boy Scouts of America. She fully supported whatever Pat was working on. She was very creative and attended countless arts and crafts shows throughout the years. Karen also enjoyed spending time with her friends, whether it be bowling, playing cards or just getting together for outdoor activities. She was an extraordinary cook and baker. Karen's desserts were always highly anticipated and could be described as, "out of this world". She always made time for family, never forgetting a birthday or anniversary, and making sure that the appropriate card was found and sent on time. Karen had a sweet disposition and a smile that lit up the room, which helped her to easily make friends, and put everyone around her at ease. She made the world a better place and she will be greatly missed by all whose lives she has touched.
Those left to cherish Karen's memory include
Trisha (T.J.) Reck, Dubuque, IA
and Larry (Laura) Dillon, DesMoines, IA;
his grandchildren,
Kaden (Courtney) Dillon, Danna Dillon, Dakota (Emily) Dillon, Morgan (Sid) Reck-Tessendorf;
a bonus great-grandson,
Noah, and a great-granddaughter on the way in March;
her siblings,
Sandy (Jon) Billington, Dubuque, IA
and George (Marny) Sear, Glen Ellyn, IL;
and a brother-in-law,
Jim Theisen, Dubuque, IA.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Patrick Dillon; and 3 sisters, Charline (Jack) McDermott, Marita Theisen, and Nancy Sear in infancy,
Karen's family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Stonehill for the wonderful care they have provided for her these past years, and Hospice of Dubuque for making her final days comfortable.
Cards and memorials in Karen's memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Karen Dillon Family.