Karen Elaine Hansen

Karen Elaine (Sweat) Hansen died peacefully at her home on September 27, 2022, at age 78 from breast cancer, with loved ones by her side. Karen was born to Melba Elaine (Clark) and Robert Ray Sweat in 1944 in Hailey, ID. Karen attended college at Idaho State University and later at Salt Lake Community College.

Growing up in a small rural farming community had many advantages for Karen. She was involved in nearly every school club and activity and spent time with her beloved pets and farm animals. She loved to ride her horse, Thunder, and at a very young age is reported to have ridden Thunder bare back when she was too small to put the saddle on.

Karen ran several small businesses throughout her lifetime and spent many years working as an administrative assistant in a variety of industries until retiring in 2012. Not one to sit still for long, Karen began working for a home health organization taking care of those less fortunate and in need.

Karen loved her three grandsons, and attended nearly all their soccer, basketball, football games, piano recitals, school plays and other activities as she could. She was their biggest cheerleader, and very proud of their abilities and accomplishments.

Karen spent untold hours tending her rose gardens and was very proud of the beautiful colors and varieties she was growing. Karen was a talented painter and was often commissioned for special paintings and portraits.

She loved being outside, and she loved spending time with her husky, Duke. Karen and Duke were often seen walking around the neighborhood. Karen worked hard for many years building a mountain cabin for the family to gather.

Karen was a master of creating lasting memories of fun and accomplishment. Her love of family was unending, and she opened her heart and home to many. Her day wasn’t complete until she showed at least one person kindness and love.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Melba and Ray, and her sister Myrna Rae. She is survived by her daughters Brenda Horton and Michelle McAffee, grandsons Zachary Horton (Jessica Poplar), Austin McAffee (Ali Driffill), and Cody McAffee, and her beloved husky Duke all in the Salt Lake area, brother Robert Charles Sweat (Gayle), and nephews and nieces Terrell Sweat, Troy Sweat, Tiffany Pritzkau, Tammy Sweat, Tony Sweat, and Tennille Hess, all residing in the Pocatello and Boise, ID, areas.

Karen's family would like to extend a special thanks to her many caregivers and her neighbors and friends for their kind care of our very special mother and grandmother, and for their compassion and support of the family.

Friends and family are invited to gather for a viewing on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S. 900 E., Salt Lake City, UT. Karen will be laid to rest next to her parents and sister on Friday, October 7, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the Carey Idaho City Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at the Carey, ID, LDS church.