Karen Winslow-Blake

Karen Winslow-Blake died on December 29, 2025, in Salt Lake City. Karen was born in Salt Lake City on July 22, 1959, to Gordon and Lucille Rudy. She was the third of six children. Karen grew up in Salt Lake City.

Karen had a strong work ethic even as a youngster, starting work at the age of nine folding game bags full-time during the summer, and also after school. She worked at an Arctic Circle during high school.

She worked hard in school, too. She was an honor-roll student at West High School. And she became the first member of her family to graduate from college, completing an honors degree in communications at the University of Utah in 1987.

Karen loved to help people, and she built an impressive career in human resources. During college she worked full-time in the human resources department at Bonneville Communications, the advertising arm of Bonneville International. The firm was awarded a number of Cleo awards during Karen’s tenure. After college Karen moved to Franklin, the maker of the Franklin Planner. She was later recruited by Theratech, an international pharmaceuticals company that pioneered the use of medicinal patches. She became Theratech’s Director of Human Resources.

Karen married Garry Blake after graduating. They met when Garry was canvassing Karen’s neighborhood on Capitol Hill for Francis Farley, then running for congress. It was indeed love at first sight, and they married on July 10, 1987. When Garry ran into Ms. Farley years later and thanked her for, in effect, arranging his marriage to a wonderful woman, Ms. Farley was not much impressed. “It’s happened often,” she said with a smirk.

Karen loved to travel. She and a friend took a long trip to England as soon as they graduated from high school. Karen and Garry honeymooned in the national parks in the Northwest and Canada, staying in the grand lodges throughout the area. They visited England, Scotland, and Ireland many times, and they later made it to Paris, Belgium, and The Netherlands. One of their favorite trips was what they called The Barbecue Tour, to Kansas City, Memphis, and North Texas.

Karen’s career ended in 1997 when botched gallbladder surgery left her in terrible pain. She endured constant pain for the rest of her life. Karen took disability after the injury, and Garry retired early to be with her full-time. For the rest of her life, she enjoyed the benefit of Garry’s company and the wonderful friendship of their neighbors in Sugarhouse.

In accordance with Karen’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no formal service. Karen asked Garry to scatter her ashes in Ireland. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Planned Parenthood.