Karen was born February 17, 1941 to Arnold Peyson Jacobsen and Ruth Vivian Romer in Clinton, Iowa. She and her brother Ron transitioned from city to farm life when the family moved to Elvira, Iowa to raise hogs. The family moved back to Clinton while Karen was in high school and then relocated to Maywood, Missouri, where her parents worked for the Schimmel hotel chain. Ron joined the service & Karen finished high school. In 1961, Karen moved with her parents to Fairfield, Iowa where they developed and operated the food service program for Parsons College. While working as the Secretary for the Public Relations Manager at the college, Karen met Roger Hughes.
Roger was drafted in 1962 and stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Karen shortly followed and they were married in Lawton, Oklahoma on December 30, 1962. They welcomed a son, Richard, in November 1963. Roger returned to work for Parsons College in 1966. His job in admissions led to a recruiting position with Athens College. The family relocated out east to Stamford, Connecticut. Karen worked as a nurse's aide at Stamford Hospital while also caring for her family. In 1969, Roger went into the reinsurance business and moved the family again to Fairfield, Connecticut. A second son, Dustin, arrived in August 1970.
Karen, much like her mother, was a wonderful homemaker, always ensuring that the needs of her children were met. She was a Cub Scout Leader and would often give calligraphy lessons at their school. She became the secretary at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fairfield. A position to which she was very devoted. She also ran the women's chapter and notably raised over $40,000 in one afternoon at the annual St. Nicholas Fair.
In 1994, Roger & Karen relocated to Loveland, following Richard and Dustin, who had moved out west with Karen's mother and brother. Karen was very creative and spent her later years decorating the house and crafting. She enjoyed calligraphy, making cards & scrapbooking. She had an eye for design, making sure each place card or decoration was perfect. She loved to take pictures and would always have a camera within reach.
Karen did everything with kindness and extended pure grace to all she met. She was always thinking of others. She was full of laughter and had a strong, witty sense of humor. She loved animals; especially goats, geese & cows. She took care of her mother and her grandchildren. The world was a brighter place for having her in it. She was dearly loved and will truly be missed.
Karen leaves behind a legacy of love and light and is survived by her husband, Roger Maxon Hughes, children, Dustin Hughes (Lorna) and Richard Hughes (Carrie), grandchildren, Blakely Hughes (Jamie Jamieson), Madison Hughes, Nickolas Hughes, Tayler Hughes, and Jessica Hughes, great-grandchildren, Clare and William Jamieson, and by her brother, Ron Young (Tracy).
A Celebration of Karen's Life will be held on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 at 1:00pm at Resthaven Funeral Home & Memory Gardens followed by a Graveside Service at 2:00pm. Family and friends will gather after Karen's services for a light reception and a time of fellowship and remembrance. Memories of Karen and words of condolence for her family are welcome at www.resthavencolorado.com.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.12.1