Karen Lee Hamstra

Karen Lee Hamstra (Sams, Avers) of Phoenix, Arizona peacefully passed away on December 8, 2022 at the age of 79. She was born on December 12, 1942 in Toledo, Ohio where she grew up with her paternal family, and later lived in Indiana with her maternal family.

Her family life began with her first husband in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with their three children. Later, she graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College with a degree in Secretarial Science. She had a full career working at Benefits Inc. in Milwaukee, until she married her second husband and moved to Canada where she retired. She was actively involved in staying fit and crocheting. She was an avid gardener, and while living in Canada was voted best landscaped yard in Holden, Alberta. Karen led a full life. She was a kind, loving and gentle soul, who made her family her priority. She provided guidance and wisdom to anyone in need and used her faith to guide her.

Karen is survived by her daughters Angela Avers, Mary Balconi, and Diana Warner, grandchildren Grant and Celine Balconi, sister Beckey Eash, close cousins Patti Thompson and Sylvia Sams and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her first husband Kenneth Avers, second husband Owen Hamstra, mother and step-father Norma and Sam Eash, father Mitchell Sams, and brother Douglas Eash.

Services will be held at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church located at 3801 E Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032 on January 30, 2023 at 11:00 am. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Karen’s honor to the Arizona Humane Society, https://www.azhumane.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.phoenixmemorialmortuary.com for the Hamstra family.