Karen Oliver

Karen Marie Oliver, 63 of Durham, NC, passed away Monday, January 2, 2017; after a brief illness. Karen was born May 12, 1953 in Battle Creek, MI to the late John Olin and Marilyn Theresa Eckrich Galloup. She attended St. Philip Catholic Elementary, Pennfield High School and in 1983 she graduated from Nazareth College where she received her BSN. She practiced nursing for thirty-three years and was recently employed as the Director of Nursing at Brookdale Home Care in Durham, NC. Karen was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, NC, she enjoyed golfing and traveling and special trips with her sisters, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: John C. Galloup and Mark A. Galloup; and a nephew, Benjamin J. Burke. She is survived by a son, Gary Rudd and wife Heather of Durham, NC, a daughter, Meredith Wright and husband David of Battle Creek, MI, five grandchildren: Treyton and Kezia Wright and Delainey, Garrison and Preston Rudd, five siblings: Stephen Galloup of Portage, MI, Jeannie Vandenberg of Taos, NM, Ann Agens and husband Gregg of Napels, FL, Theresa Burke and husband Roderick of Battle Creek, MI, Jessica Fleming of Battle Creek, MI, a special niece Lindsey Kaiser of Darien, CT, a dear friend Bob Buroker, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Memorial donations may be made to Duke Home Care and Hospice, Office of Development 4321 Medical Park Dr. Ste. 101, Durham, NC 27704 or to the American Cancer Society for the cure of Pancreatic Cancer, P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is honored to serve the Oliver family. Online condolences may be made to www.walkersfuneralservice.com.