Karen Dee Taylor
October 23, 1939 - May 2, 2020

Due to the current COVID-19 circumstances, a celebration of life and internment will be planned at a future date to allow friends and family to gather, exchange hugs and share their fond memories of Karen Dee Taylor, 80, of Alta Loma, CA.
Karen Dee Taylor died unexpectedly Saturday, May 2, 2020.
Karen Dee Taylor was born Oct. 23, 1939, at Mitchell, SD, to Alvin and Ruth (Houska) Surat of Bijou Hills, SD.
She attended Bijou Hills Country School of Bijou Hills, SD, and graduated from Platte High School of Platte, SD, in 1957. She went on to attend Stewart’s School of Hairstyling in Sioux Falls, SD, and moved to Huron,
SD, to work as a beautician.
In 1961, she moved to Pomona, CA, where she was surrounded by cousins and South Dakota friends and became the family hair stylist.
Karen was united in marriage to Lee Winston in 1964 and to this union was born two children, Craig and Lori Jo.
In 1977, she married Leo Taylor and welcomed three more children – Terry, David and Steven.
She worked at the University of California, Cal Poly for the dean of engineering for 30 years, retiring in 2000. She enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed her trips to South Dakota to visit her mother in the Platte
Care Center, to Colorado to see her great grandson and Florida to visit her grandchildren.
Karen loved the beach and for 20 years rented a place at Newport Beach where her grandchildren came from all parts of the United States to visit each other.
Her green thumb was evident by the beautiful flowers in her yard.
After retiring, her creative talents turned to china painting. She displayed her beautiful pieces at the Los Angeles County Fair, winning blue ribbons every year. She served as secretary to the Downey Porcelain Artists Club and was recognized by the Porcelain Artists of California as Honored Artist of 2013.
Her house was a hub for family and extended family, celebrating all the joys of life. It was a warm home filled with love, kindness, home-cooked meals and “baked goodies.” Her family always knew she would be there
when they needed her.
She was spirited, quick-witted and loved to make people laugh.
She leaves behind a legacy of love and selflessness.
She was a special woman who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Leo Taylor of Alta Loma, CA; two children, Craig Winston and wife, Bridgette of Alta Loma, CA; grandchildren, Jeff Winston and wife, Michelle and Garrett Winston;
step-grandchildren, Ryon Moisio, Magen Clawson, Tawni Moisio, Seth Moisio and Ian Moisio; a great grandson, Axel Winston; step-great grand-children, Landon De Los Rios, Harrison Schwing and Weston Clawson; Lori Jo Urbatsch and husband, Bob of Norco, CA; grandchildren, Kyle Urbatsch and Lucas Urbatsch; three step-children, Terry Taylor of Patriot, Ohio; a grandchild, Justina Taylor Labutski; David Taylor and wife, Dawn of Alta Loma, CA; grandchildren, Amber Shinn and husband, Matt, Shelby Taylor, Maddie Taylor, Hannah Taylor and Sarah Taylor; great grand-daughters, Maeve Shinn and Epik Horzen; Steve Taylor and wife, Teresa of Land O’Lakes, Florida; grandchildren, Nicki Taylor, Kelsey Taylor, Austin Taylor, Logan Taylor and Ashley Taylor; sisters; Carol Smith and husband, Bob of Upland, CA, and Carmen Arrowood and husband, Rick of Woodbridge, VA; her mother, Ruth Surat of Platte Care Center of Platte, SD; a brother, Wayne Surat and wife, Pat of Bijou Hills, SD, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lee Winston; her father, Alvin Surat and a brother, Walter Surat.