Karen Ruth Dupuis

Karen Ruth Dupuis, 81, of Pinehurst, ID, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and lifelong resident of the Silver Valley, passed away on July 9, 2025 at Pinehurst Senior Living of Cascadia in Pinehurst, ID. Karen was born on May 17, 1944 in Kellogg, ID at the old Wardner Hospital. She was a daughter of the late Walter Johnson and Edna (Wallace) Johnson.

Karen attended Kellogg schools and at the age of 15 got her first job at Johnson’s Café waiting tables. Throughout her working years, Karen also worked at Johnson’s Meats where she was a cutter and packager and then became the secretary and office manager for West Valley Insurance, Realtors and Contractors for 33 years until her retirement.

Karen married the love of her life, Wlifred “Bill’ Dupuis on January 23, 1963 at the Hitching Post in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Bill passed away on June 6, 2021. Together, they had built a life full of love and special times with family.

Karen was an avid bowler and was part of the Ladies Bowling League, the Saturday Night Live Bowling League, and assisted with the children’s bowling league. She was also part of the River Rats, a group that did raft racing throughout the Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, and Silver Valley areas. Karen was good at playing cards and hosted many Pinochle and poker parties with friends up Pinecreek. She liked to take trips down to the Coeur d’Alene Casino in Worley to play the penny slots.

Spending time with her family was of great importance to Karen. She enjoyed spending time outdoors going camping or gardening. She loved her flowers, especially her roses, petunias, and hanging fuschsia baskets. Karen was an excellent cook and baked many wonderful treats for her family and friends.

In addition to her parents and beloved husband, Bill, Karen is preceded in death by a sister, Joyce Smith; two nephews, Robbie and Kip; and a niece, Cadence “Tink”Haynes.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie (Donny) Marek of Pinehurst, ID; two grandchildren, Trever Marek of Pinehurst, ID and Lily Marek of Pinehurst, ID; a sister, Gail (John Nearing) Haynes of Kingston, ID; a sister in-law, Ruth Lambert of Pinehurst, ID; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Shoshone Funeral Services, 106 S. Main St., in Kellogg, ID. Interment will follow at Hunt Cemetery in Kingston, ID.

Memories of Karen and messages of condolence may be shared online with her family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting with arrangements.