Karen Marie Mendes, 82, born in Seattle, Wash., passed away peacefully in the presence of loving family on Nov. 5, 2025, in Alexandria, Va. Karen was the last surviving daughter of her beloved father and mother, Hjalmar and Ardith Walberg. Her cherished sisters were Marianne and Barbara. She is survived by her husband of 59 years Louis Amandio Mendes—they were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eugene, Ore.—and three sons, Anthony, Terence, and David, and 5 adored grandchildren.

Karen's strong Lutheran faith, love of family, friends, neighbors and colleagues, and infectious happiness and caring shaped her life and touched all those around her. Her spirit shone in wide travels to diverse communities, especially in church choirs in Vienna, Va., Reno, Nev., Panama, England, and Israel, where she sang in an ecumenical choir in Jerusalem and at many of the sites of the Holy Land. Her proud service to our nation included working 9 years at the Central Intelligence Agency. She was an avid amateur photographer, often focused on revealing the beauty of our natural world and the story of humanity at historical sites throughout the world.

Her family near and far deeply grieves her passing and will celebrate her life and light as a small-town girl at heart whose journey touched others as a world-class Christian, wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, cousin, neighbor, friend, and public servant. Funeral service will be held on Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Vienna, Va., where her family were members for more than 20 years. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Karen’s name online to the Alzheimer’s Association.