Karleen Rose Dewey, age 86, died in Westminster, Colorado peacefully on June 23, 2026, in the arms of her beloved husband Fred M. Dewey and other family members. She was born on December 19, 1939, in Cleveland, Ohio to Carl and Evelyn (Rose) Routh.

Karleen was an only child of loving parents, but her early childhood was marked by significant disruption and loss. In her elementary school years, her stepfather “Daddy Dave” Dickey gave her much joy before he passed away from war wounds previously incurred in Normandy, France. It was a traumatic sorrow she carried for the rest of her life. Perhaps as a nod to Normandy, Karleen referred to her long healing as "God's Magnificent Invasion" in her memoirs of that title.

At age 14, she was smitten by her classmate Fred Dewey, who excelled at sports and academics. High school brought many happy activities for Karleen, including cheerleading for Fred’s teams. By their late teens, they pledged to spend their lives together and were married on September 5, 1959 in Fort Collins, Colorado.

With Fred, Karleen dreamed of a family with ten children—which would be fulfilled with Scott Dewey, Kathy Davis, Kim Hooper, Kris Cross, Karyn Mitchell, Jon Dewey, Shane Dewey, Josie Gwin, Christine Martinez, and Wendi Dewey. In time, she would welcome over 25 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and she looked forward to a third great grandchild on the way this year.

Karleen devoted herself to her loving marriage to Fred and creating a nurturing home for her children. Her children have treasured memories of Mom fostering their individual interests, pastimes, passions, skills, and aspirations as they grew up in Colorado. Her support and inspiration blossomed into lifelong gifts in their lives, careers, and families.

Guided by her own life-transforming experience of God’s love, Karleen’s life mission became caring for other children of the world—locally and abroad. She adopted four children and fostered numerous others. With Fred, in 1987 she co-founded Embrace Mercy (originally Mercy Ministries, including The Mothering Center of Colorado for teen moms), so that hundreds of others could join the work of helping children from hard places thrive.

Karleen and Fred lived for periods of time in the Philippines, Hungary, and Romania, enjoying cross-cultural experiences, friendships, and partnerships in their life work. In each life chapter, fellowship in local churches was a central part of their lives.

Holding a bachelor's degree in child development and a master’s degree in counseling, Karleen became a pioneer educator in Eastern Europe for caregivers of abandoned and traumatized children—incorporating latest research and best practices. Karleen counted many Romanian young people as beloved “family.” Karleen and Fred traveled with their family to many US states and multiple continents, and she wrote many accounts of family and mission adventures.

Karleen leaves a legacy of love that began at home and still ripples throughout the world.

A memorial gathering will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, August 1 at Horan & McConaty, 7577 W. 80th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80003.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Embrace Mercy, online at www.embracemercy.org or PO Box 583, Evergreen CO 80437.