Karen Ann (Freeman) Hunter was born February 19, 1941. She was born and raised in Wahoo, Nebraska and was the youngest child of Virgil and Violet Freeman. Karen attended school in Wahoo and graduated from Luther Academy. She went on to attend Luther College and graduated with an Associate’s Degree. One year later, she graduated from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska, with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Following in the footsteps of her mother, she spent several years teaching 3rd grade in Fremont, Nebraska; Kearney, Nebraska and substitute teaching in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Karen married her husband David in 1965. They had 56 wonderful years together. In 1969 their first child, Mark, was born. After Dave finished school in Kearney, Nebraska, they moved their family to Lincoln, Nebraska. Shortly thereafter their second child, Deb, was born.
When their children were 3 and 4 years old, Karen chose a career in Mary Kay Cosmetics in order to be available for her children and husband. She was a successful Mary Kay Senior Sales Director and was part of the Mary Kay family for 47 years. Mary Kay provided her with the flexibility and opportunity to attend every track meet, volleyball game, football game and every other activity in between.
It also provided her with so many personal successes. Karen earned the prestigious pink Cadillac 13 times. She was in the Queens Court of Sales multiple times and the Director Unit Club an impressive 44 times. She won medals for personal recruiting 39 times. She was a Star Consultant from when the program first began at Mary Kay through the 4th Quarter of the Mary Kay year ending in June 2021; a total of 176 times! One of her proudest moments was when she won Dave a 1999 GMC Jimmy (not a pink one!). The look of disbelief on Dave’s face was absolutely priceless!!
In her free time, Karen loved to play bridge and was actively involved in Christian Women’s Connections. Mark and Dave built a “cabin” for Karen in 1993 at Johnson Lake, near Lexington, Nebraska. The “cabin” turned into a much grander lake house. Karen spent hours and hours fishing with Mark and Dave, frequently bringing home the biggest catch!
Karen loved to travel and visited many US cities for Mary Kay celebrations. Karen and Dave traveled with their best friends Sharon and Jim to Hawaii and Alaska as well as many destinations in Nebraska. For many years, they traveled to San Diego on an annual trip with brother Charlie and wife Carol to see family. She traveled to Ireland, Northern Ireland, England and Scotland with family – what amazing adventures!
One of Karen’s happiest moments was the day she became a grandma. Her grandson Eli was such a blessing to Karen, but also to the entire family. It had been too long since there was a small child in the house and Karen treasured every moment spent and every memory created with Eli.
Karen was beautiful inside and out and would light up a room with her gorgeous smile and contagious positivity. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her husband, David; son Mark Hunter; daughter Deb (Mark) McClean; grandson Elijah McClean; brother Charlie (Carol) Freeman; sister-in-law Nancy Parsons; and numerous nieces and nephews. Karen is preceded in death by her parents and sisters Dorothy Mae (Clarence) Rodine and Phyllis (Lloyd) Anderson.
A memorial service will be held Friday, August 27th at 11:00 a.m. at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street, with a reception to follow.
Private Interment at Sunrise Cemetery in Wahoo, Nebraska.
No visitation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed towards the Friendship Home or People’s City Mission.