Funeral services for Karen Lynn Chesne Durrett will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 beginning at 11:30 am in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Moreauville with Rev. Brian Seiler officiating. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 8:00 am until 11:00 am in the Escude’ Funeral Hone of Moreauville. 

Karen Lynn Chesne Durrett, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, June 17, at the age of 68.

She leaves a legacy of love through her devoted son, Shane Reed; her beloved daughter, Whitney Durrett Strong; her daughter-in-law, Dawn Reed; her son-in-law, Ryan Strong; and her cherished grandchildren, Zachary Reed, Katherine Reed, Parker Strong, and Owen Strong.

She is also remembered with love by her three beloved sisters, Cheryl Chesne Chenevert, Darcy Bordelon, and Kimberly Dixon, and her brothers-in-law, Tim Bordelon and Johnny Bert Dixon.

Some people measure a life by the positions they held or the accolades they received. Karen measured hers by the people she served and the promises she kept.

For nearly five decades, she faithfully served the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections at Angola in Human Resources. She was a steady and trusted presence whose integrity, compassion, and dedication touched generations of employees. She understood that every person who walked through her office deserved to be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect.

Her dedication was evident not only in the work she did but also in the sacrifices she quietly made. For many years, her daily commute required crossing the Mississippi River by ferry and climbing the steep riverbanks in every season and every kind of weather. It was not an easy journey, but she made it without complaint because she believed that being there mattered. Her coworkers depended on her, and she never wanted to let them down. To her, showing up was more than fulfilling a job it was an expression of loyalty, commitment, and love for the people she worked alongside every day.

She lived with quiet strength and unwavering faithfulness, never seeking recognition for the countless lives she touched. Instead, she found fulfillment in helping others, offering encouragement, solving problems, and making difficult days a little easier for those around her. Her legacy is not only found in the many years she gave to her profession, but in the respect she earned, the friendships she cherished, and the example she set of a life lived with purpose, humility, and grace.

Above all else, Karen was fiercely independent and deeply devoted to her family. They were the center of her world and the greatest achievement of her life. She was a loving mother and sister, and an incredibly proud grandmother who cherished her son, daughter, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and her beloved grandchildren. She was also a devoted aunt to her many nephews, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

Karen’s greatest joy came from spending time with the people she loved most—sharing holidays, celebrating life’s milestones, or simply being together. She treasured every moment spent with her family. Her unconditional love, unwavering support, and kind heart will remain a lasting legacy in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents Carroll Chesne and Genevieve Chesne and by her brother Michael Chesne.

Her life reminds us that greatness is often found not in grand gestures, but in the simple, faithful act of showing up—day after day, year after year—for the people who need you most.