Mrs. Karen Rodriguez

Karen Lee Vargo was born on December 17th, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois and at an early age her family moved back to Oklahoma, her mother’s ancestral homeland. She grew up on a small farm 30 miles outside of Vinita, roaming the hills barefoot and dreaming of being a rodeo trick rider.

She graduated salutatorian, in 1961, from Sacred Heart Academy Catholic High School in Vinita, Oklahoma and received a scholarship to Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. In her freshman year she met Charles F. Rodriguez, a research chemist, on a blind date, continued to date, and ultimately married on December 29th, 1962, the beginning of a long, happy and loving marriage. In the early years of their union Karen became a mother. In December 1963, Karen gave birth to her first son, Miguel Luis. Following Miguel, Karen had three more sons, Felipe Xavier, May 1965, Carlos David, July 1966 and Gregorio Alejandro, May 1968. Miguel passed away in 2000. Together they navigated the joys and challenges of life as their family grew to include their cherished daughters-in-law Rebecca, Debra and Sarah. The legacy of Karen’s love and teachings blossomed in the lives of her grandchildren Jay, Promise, Victoria, Raquel, Mauricio, Gabriella and Daniel and great-grandson, Ethan.

After working as a teacher’s aide at the local elementary school and at the Cerebral Palsy Center for a few years, and with her sons becoming self-sufficient, Karen returned to college where she received a Generic Special Education degree from Trinity University. Karen’s professional life was marked by dedication and excellence. She poured her heart into educating special needs children, serving for 25 years in the San Antonio Independent School District and Northside Independent School District. Her exceptional ability to uplift and empower her students earned her the prestigious title Teacher of the Year for the school year 1993-1994, an accolade that reflected her unwavering commitment to her vocation.

To begin retirement, she planned and took Charles on a four-month self-directed tour of six countries in Western Europe. She came home to enjoy her leisure and serve as a volunteer for the Bexar County Republican Party. Karen worked in the party headquarters for several years, helping with numerous campaigns, especially with making phone calls, distributing campaign signs and literature, and served as a delegate at numerous district and state conventions. Karen’s involvement with the San Antonio Republican Women Scholarship committee further showcased her dedication to fostering education and opportunity for the next generation. For her service she received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2009 from the Texas Republican Party.

Karen was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith and held a special reverence for the Blessed Virgin Mary. This devotion to Mary became evident at her matrimonial ceremony when she dedicated the union with Charles to the Blessed Virgin Mary by laying her bridal bouquet at the feet of Our Lady’s statue. Through her steadfast faith Karen lived a life of kindness, humility, and service, embodying the virtues cherished in her devotion to the Blessed Virgin. Her faith was a source of strength and hope to her family and all who knew her.

Visitation will be held on April 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm at Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough , 1101 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX. A Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm

Mass will be held on April 23, 2025 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church , 15415 Red Robin Rd, San Antonio, TX.

Committal Service will be held on April 23, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Archdiocese of San Antonio -Holy Cross Cemetery , 17501 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX.