Karen Hudspeth-Johnson, 44, of Houston passed away Aug. 13 at Mat-Su Regional Hospital after a heart attack.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake today at 11 a.m. A Celebration of Life for friends and loved ones of Karen will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Karen was born on Aug. 2, 1965, in Oregon to Steve and Peggy Hudspeth. In 1984, she moved to Alaska, which became the home she loved. Karen was a truly devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. She was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Church, where she had once taught Bible study classes. She would always bring fun and love to everything that she was around or touched. Her smile would brighten a room and her presence was comforting to all. Karen loved to plan and celebrate birthdays and other holidays “real big.” She had a knack for bringing life to a party and living in that moment.

She also had a passion for baking deserts for family and friends. Children to seniors would come from miles around to have some of her great cookies, brownies and fudge, or to just check out what’s in the cookie jar, oven or on the stovetop. Karen was a people person. She saw the good in others and knew how to bring out their strengths. She was always willing to help and made everyone feel special. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing, gardening, snowmaching, boating, bonfires, swimming and “slinging mud” on the four-wheelers. She took pleasure in doing home improvement projects that made the home look like a little Alaska cabin in a park and making it fun and inviting for friends and family.

Karen was a godsend and blessing to all. Words alone cannot express what a wonderful wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandma-to-be and friend Karen was. It’s so hard to let her go, but her love will remain etched in our hearts and in our memories.  

Karen was an extraordinarily dedicated 14-year employee of Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults. She demonstrated tremendous passion in her work. Karen made meaningful differences every day in the lives of hundreds of Valley residents with developmental disabilities, their families and co-workers. Karen was admired and loved by virtually everyone she came in contact with. The entire MSSCA family is deeply saddened and will feel a tremendous void organizationally, but much more so on a personal level. While she will be truly missed, those who knew her feel extremely blessed to have had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with our dear friend and beloved colleague. 

Karen was preceded in death by her mother, Peggy Hudspeth. Survivors and loved ones include husband John Johnson, son Joshua Cox, John Johnson Jr., Melissa Minkey and Amber Blaney, her father, Steve Hudspeth, twin brother Aaron Hudspeth, sister and brother-in-law Sharon Hudspeth-Orloff and Ernie Orloff; aunt Susan McElroy, cousins Val and Dale Hudspeth; Chris, Charlene, Toby, Erin and Annabelle Hudspeth; Edie, John, Justice, and Katcher Higgins; Brandy, George, Anthony and Jonathan Martin; Joyce, Richard, Melissa and Holly Krause; Vicki, Linda, and Debbie. Karen also adopted as family Corie Heg and Connie Heg, Cory, Cassie and Shawna Sellman, Cindi Molchan, David Anderson, Kim Anderson, Tracey and Miles Durand, Steven Dubuse, Jack Derr, Denny Johnston, Olaf and Lief Runstrom; and Connie O’Neal. While there are so many more, know that you are loved.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home.