Karen P. Stevens

On November 6, 2023, longtime Las Cruces resident Karen P Stevens left this world for what we can only imagine is a beautiful afterlife. Of which, there are few more deserving. Born Karen Patricia LaRue August 2, 1946, in Albuquerque, NM; Karen was the 2nd of the 4 LaRue children born to Jimmy and Jane LaRue. It was often joked that Karen was the original baby boomer, born 9 months after Jimmy’s return from WWII. Karen was a 1964 graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Albuquerque, NM, attending like her father and sister before her. 

Karen’s impact on those around her would be evident in her lifelong friendships she formed during those times. Some of Karen’s fondest memories would be the summers she would spend in Tucumcari with her Grandparents Dado and Mammy Norman on their farm. She would enjoy their annual trips to Lincoln and Angus to decorate the graves of their ancestors from that area: a part of the state she always referred to as “God’s County”. Later, her ashes will be spread amongst the beauty she treasured so much. She would often tell stories of the strength and resilience of her grandma fondly referred to as Mom LaRue. Both beautiful traits that Karen inherited and instilled in her daughter and granddaughters. Only one semester shy of a political science degree from her beloved UNM, Karen was a Lobo through and through. After all, as she would say-UNM is THE University of New Mexico.

After graduation and college Karen would begin her career of civil service with the City of Albuquerque. She would later transfer to the City of Las Cruces when she and then husband Dennis G Stevens relocated. From that marriage would come their only daughter and to quote Karen “my greatest joy” Sarah Q Rosales (Stevens). Karen would move up to be the City Clerk of Las Cruces. There was a time where you could find Karen’s beautiful signature hanging on the wall of every business in town. The City would prove to produce lifelong friendships and family as well. Karen will forever be known for her wit, her charm, her intelligence, and her genuineness. Karen always loved family with a fierceness indescribable to most. And if you were her friend, you became family. She was the master of unconditional love and would defend all that she loved. 

Much like her father she had no patience for meanness or stupidity. Her compassion had no bounds, and she was always there, willing to listen and lend support. She valued the wisdom, love, and guidance passed down from her grandparents and parents, and passed these traits along to her daughter and granddaughters. She grieved the loss of those who went before her. She would often talk about the days of old when all of her family would be together, before so many moved away. She loved the Holidays and would decorate for all of them. If you ever were in the basement of the old City Hall it was evident in the metal tree she would decorate for every holiday throughout the year. After a short retirement, Karen would go on to serve on the City Counsel for 1 term. Besides daughter, mom, aunt, friend, or neighbor-Karen’s all-time favorite title would be Boppy. Her first granddaughter “Baby Rave” would give her that name and it would be all she was known by. If daughter Sarah Q was her greatest joy, granddaughters Raven and Quinlan would be the light of her life. She was instrumental in their upbringing and a daily vital part of their lives She was so proud of them. And she would get the biggest kick out of her great grandson, her “darling boy” Jaxson Michael. She never missed an opportunity to remind him, “Boppy loves you my boy; my darling”. It goes without saying the void that will be felt in the lives of her family and friends. 

Those left to mourn her passing are her daughter and “greatest joy” Sarah Q Rosales, her “favorite” son Richard J. Rosales, granddaughters Raven Marie and Quinlan Michelle Pope, that darling boy great grandson Jaxson Michael Chavez, sister Claudia McConnell, brother Michael LaRue and wife Mary, sister Laurie Tomlinson and husband Bob, her only nephew and the “rose amongst the thorns” Shawn McConnnell and wife Teresa, nieces Lisa McConnell and partner Tange Toshiaki, Amy Dubolino and husband Tony, and Jillian Tomlinson. Great Nephews: Casey McConnell, Julian Bader and wife Emily, Kyle McConnell and wife Hillary, and Luka Bader. Great great nephew Vaughn McConnell and Great great niece Penelope McConnell. 1st Cousin Bill Manfredi and wife Shirley. Long time family and friends Kay and Willard Lewis. Daphne and Kari Saragusa, Billy Manfredi and wife Karla, and Jana Manfredi. Patti Manfredi, Damon Manfredi, Frankie Manfredi, and Lily Manfredi. Long time Uncle Albert Bechetti. Joey and Betty Corazzi. The entire Corazzi family. 

Karen was preceded in death by Grandparents William and Laura Norman. Grandmother Jane LaRue. Parents Jimmy and Jane LaRue. Her dearest Aunt Edie and Uncle Frank Manfredi. 1st cousin Carl Manfredi; and longtime family Arzie Bechetti. 

As strongly as Boppy loved, she was equally loved. She leaves behind several friends whose lives have been greatly impacted by her. In loving Karen, they also loved Sarah and the girls. That would mean the world to Karen. That extended family of friends includes: Evangeline Brown, Pat Hodges with children Peter, Chad, and Jenny. Barbara and Don Bowcut. The entire Rede family. Michelle and Ace Perez with children Dylan and Malia. Keith and Jamie Bowcutt. Carolyn Duran and family. Debbie Calderon and family. Lorraine Soto with children Christine, Marisa, and Mark. The entire Soto family. Yvonne Renteria husband Fred and son Aaron Paul. Betty Fielder and kids. Kathleen Holsome Sellers with kids Cherry, Ray, Serena, and De- Etta. The extended Holsome/Collins/Sellers family. Sandra Padilla and son Kai Williams. Chrissy Padilla with children Tori, Lia, and Minerva Carrillo and Winter and Jon. Rebekah Chavez with sons Isaiah and Eli Chavez. John Gutierrez and wife Linda. The Gutierrez family. Tai Hart and son Spencer Hart. Xochitl Gonzales with children Dia Gonzales, the late Nico Gonzales, Kamryn Dixon. The Gonzales family. The Dixon family. Kat Sanchez and Hanii and their kids. Meredith Monroe and kids. Charlene Bencomo husband Josh Beyer and their kids. Jackie Jones and son Peyton Gallardo. Annette Granado husband Mike Rosales with children Joseph, Erica, and Sophia. The Rosales family. If you were a friend and loved Sarah Raven or Quinnie; Boppy would welcome you and love you as her own. Family and Friendships meant everything to her. As a family we would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. We find our peace knowing Boppy is now reunited with so many loved ones. She is no longer limited in her mobility or by her health. We know she will continue to watch over us until we meet again.