Karen Marie Hunt

Karen Yag was raised in La Grange, IL and married Kenneth Hunt on August 27, 1960. Together they raised three daughters: Jennifer (Tom) Gibson of Carrollton, TX; Shelly (Brian) Wildman of Wheaton, IL; and Jodi (Matthew) Hausenfluke of Garland, TX. She also had six granddaughters: Kira (Jon) Brantmeier of Dallas, TX; Paige Gibson of Long Beach, CA; Kate (Marshall) Hamilton of Seattle, WA; Caroline Wildman of Chicago, IL; Julia Wildman of Wheaton, IL; and Grace Hausenfluke of Garland, TX; and two great-grandchildren: Tate and Eadie Brantmeier of Dallas, TX. She was preceded in death by her son, Christopher Kenneth Hunt, who died August 17, 1974 at the age of nine.

Ken and Karen met at a fraternity party at the University of Illinois. Karen always joked that taking her on a date was cheaper than the fine Ken would have to pay the fraternity, and that’s why he asked her out. But their love story took off from there, and she eventually left the U of I after two years to marry Ken and become a farmer’s wife. They farmed in Morris, IL, where they raised their family, for more than 40 years. Karen served for many years on the Morris Community High School District 101 school board. She also co-founded Kindergarten Korner in Morris, IL and worked as a Medicare specialist at Morris Hospital.

Karen was best known for her amazing quilting and handiwork skills. She could often be found sitting in front of her sewing machine, creating beautiful quilts for the people she loved, quilting or stitching with friends. Even in her last weeks, Karen taught one of her nurses how to knit. For many years, at family Christmas gatherings, one of “Grandma Farm’s” quilts was the coveted prize for the winner of “Reindeer Games,” a week-long competition that involved the whole family from young to old.

Karen loved to travel, and some of her happiest memories were of trips she took with her husband and daughters to places throughout Europe. Karen was also a fantastic cook and hostess, and she used her gift of hospitality to provide a loving place of respite or celebration for friends and family. She was known for her quick wit, her infectious smile, and her faithful friendship to many. Her family joked that Karen never met a stranger, she just collected friends in all the places they lived—Morris, IL; Oro Valley, AZ; and Dallas, TX.

As a young girl, Karen trusted in Jesus Christ as her Savior, and she served him faithfully throughout her life. Her church involvements were important to her, and she joyfully worshipped Christ every day.

A celebration of Karen Hunt’s life will be held at a later date. Donations in Karen’s honor may be made to the charity of your choice.