Karen Carper Martin Priest, wife, mother and grandmother passed away October 20, 2012 at Carson Tahoe Hospital. She was born July 13, 1940 in Denver, Colorado to Faybert and Marybeth Martin, the second of four children.
She is survived by her husband, Robert F. Priest, of Carson City; her two children, Joel and Susan; daughter-in-law, Marianna; son-in-law, Hal; three grandchildren, Krystina, Jasper and Mateo; and two sisters, Virginia Stafford and Mary Hunnicutt. She was preceded in death by her brother, Lance Martin.
Daughter of the Midwest, Karen lived in Illinois, Arizona, California, Missouri and New York before moving to Nevada in 2003. As a teenager, Karen was an exchange student in Greece. She went on to study Human Development at the University of Chicago, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1963. While in Chicago, she captured her husband's heart as he watched her interact with children. Robert and Karen married on June 13, 1961. In each place they lived, Karen maintained a deep commitment to the land and people of Grundy County, Illinois.
As Karen raised her children, she worked part-time as an interviewer for Research Triangle Assistant, and as a social worker in New York State. Passionate in her outreach to the community, Karen volunteered time for groups as diverse as SERVAS International, the United Methodist Women, and the Orange County Safe Homes Project.
Devoted to family, friends, the United Methodist Church and the Democratic Party Karen will be remembered for her beautiful smile and friendly manner. She was a woman whose deep relationship with her creator was borne out of physical hardships. Karen had the keen ability to connect with people of all stations of life. She was filled with love and wonder, even as her body weakened.
There will be a Memorial Service for Karen Priest at the First United Methodist Church, Carson City, Nevada on Monday October 29, 2012 at 2 PM. Prior to the service, there will be a viewing at Walton's Chapel of the Valley, 1281 North Roop Street, Carson City, NV, from 9 am to 1:30 PM on October 29, 2012. Arrangements are in the care of Capital City Cremation. Later her ashes will be buried in Illinois. Memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 212 North Division Street, Carson City, NV 89703.
