Karen Lynn Hunter (Hughes)
July 18, 1954 – December 12, 2024

Our beloved wife, daughter, mother and grandmother, Karen Lynn Hunter (Hughes), of Eureka, lost her six-year battle with cancer on Thursday, December 12. Her husband, Dennis, was by her side.

Karen was born on July 18, 1954, in Scotia, to Barney and Janice Hughes. She grew up in Humboldt County and graduated from Fortuna High School in 1972.

Karen worked in administration and accounting for the Times-Standard and Redwood Equipment Company before starting her career at Cox Communications Humboldt (Suddenlink) for over 20 years. She also served on the Board of the Humboldt County Office of Education for six years.

Karen had a strong belief in giving back to her community. She spent 18 years by her husband’s side during Easter Seals Telethons and had a five-year involvement in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She and her husband joined the Eureka Elks Lodge in 2013, where she was an active volunteer for several years. She was awarded the Eureka Elks Lodge’s Mother of the Year in 2023 and served on the Lodge’s Board of Trustees.

She loved creating greeting cards, reading and listening to her favorite music. She was a true Jimmy Buffett “Parrott Head.” Karen also love traveling. She and her husband had the opportunity to cruise throughout Europe, Mexico and cruised twice to Alaska. Her favorite place on the planet was on Trinity Lake, where she spent her summers aboard the family’s houseboat, “Summer Breeze.”

Karen is survived by her devoted husband, Dennis. She is also survived by her mother, Janice Hughes, her brother, Kenneth Hughes, and our blended family: her children Yvonne (Chris) Evenson and Alex (Meadow Bell) Johnson and stepdaughters Pamela (Chris) Payne and Michelle (Raul) Ruelas; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and her four-legged canine children, Buster and Posey.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Humboldt and Dr. Thomas Rydz for their excellent care.

A celebration of life will be held at the Eureka Elks Lodge at a later date.