Karen M. Ruef Obituary 2020

Cover photo for Karen M. Ruef's Obituary

Karen M. Ruef

January 13, 1938 — September 29, 2020

Karen More Lind Ruef born in Sonoma and long-time resident of Novato, died peacefully on September 29th at home in Bradbury, CA. Karen was 82, widowed previously by David Ruef and Christen Lind. Karen is survived by her son Warren DeMartini and daughter Elisabeth Lind Dick (Andrew), stepson Mark Ruef (Chris) and stepdaughter Allison Carter (Brian) as well as eight grandchildren and three great grandsons.

Karen completed her teaching degree at San Jose State and taught at San Ramon in Novato, where she developed a close community of friends. She was a mentor teacher, worked on state reading curriculum and ended up getting her master's at USF in Educational Leadership. Subsequently, she got her administrative credential at SF State and became Principal at Hill Junior High School in Novato.

One of her passions was reading and she loved working with children with reading challenges. In her retirement, she returned part time to Loma Verde Elementary in Novato and became school librarian. She shared her love of children's literature with all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Karen was active in the Episcopal Church and in Cursillo, where she served as Rectora and built a wonderful circle of friends. She was an excellent cook and absolute "foodie". Karen enjoyed pouring over recipes and creating gourmet delights.

Karen hoped to be remembered as "a kind and loving person, a great mom and grandmother, and a good friend". For all who were blessed to know her, she succeeded in that and so much more. She was a tremendous example of strength, perseverance, positivity and endless love. She will be missed!

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 11:00AM at St. John's Episcopal Church in Petaluma. Contributions in her name can be made to American Diabetes Association (https://www.diabetes.org), Hospice Foundation of America (https://hospicefoundation.org) or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Douglass & Zook Funeral and Cremation Services, Monrovia, California.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Karen M. Ruef, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Plan Ahead

Grief Support

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Obituary Admin

DOUGLASS & ZOOK FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES · 600 E. FOOTHILL BOULEVARD, MONROVIA, CA 91016 · FD 221

We respect your privacy and will not sell your personal information. Douglass & Zook will collect and use the information you provide here to periodically email, call, text or message you with information about products, services, and events according to the terms of the Douglass & Zook Privacy Policy and Terms of Use until you change your communication preferences at www.douglassandzook.com/preferences.

Funeral planning is funded through the purchase of whole life insurance from National Guardian Life Insurance Company, Madison, WI (NGL). A qualified Forest Lawn Planning Advisor who has been both licensed by the California Department of Insurance and appointed as an agent of NGL can answer any questions. Forest Lawn Mortuary (licensed by the California Department of Consumer Affairs as Douglass & Zook Funeral and Cremation Services) is an agent of NGL. National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, aka The Guardian or Guardian Life.