Karen Fae Hunsley resided in Pine, Arizona, where she bought a home in 2015. She recently relocated to St. George, Utah, to be closer to family. She was 77 years old when she passed away surrounded by family on Nov. 20, 2023, in St. George. Karen was born to Ivan King Hunsley and Dorothy Larson Hunsley in Columbus, Ohio, on March 11, 1946. She was raised in California for most of her life.
She joined the Army in 1974 and was discharged with honors in 1989. She served as an MP and in military intelligence. She had a love of travel, music, dancing and people. She continued her love of these things throughout her life. She had a deep love and respect for Native American art. She was a resilient woman who passed her strength and warrior spirit on to her children. She was a Protestant Christian.
She is survived by her daughters Darline, Kimberly and Cherann and husband (Shon), and her son Jesse and wife (Nichole); her sister Nonnie Salmones and husband (Bert); grandchildren Alicia, Marisa, Trevor and wife (Kellie), Christopher, Nicholas, Brandi, Nathaniel, Mackenzie, Ryleigh and Lylah; her great-grandchildren Ryan, Logan, Julian, Lily, Alexander, Scarlett, Elizabeth and Ozzy.
She was preceded in death by her son David, brothers Glenn Hunsley and Lawrence Weaver, sister Patricia Rogers and companion of many years George Jaeger.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, at 10:40 a.m. at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, Nevada. Directly following the service, there will be military honors and she will be laid to rest. A visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 1, from 3-4 p.m. at Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 1316 S. 400 E., St. George.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.