Karen Jen Neet

May 18, 1943 - January 8, 2019

Karen Jen Neet, 75,  passed away on January 8, 2019, at her home in Pueblo West, Colorado.  She went peacefully with her husband and daughters by her side. Karen struggled with non-hodgkins lymphoma for 17 months before complications from the cancer ended her life.  She was born on May 18, 1943, in Trinidad, Colorado, to Leonard and Alice (Sakariason) Hainlen. Karen grew up primarily on her parent's farm/ranch in Bon Carbo, Colorado, where she loved riding bareback on her horse, Frisco.  She graduated from Trinidad High School in 1961.  After high school, she attended Trinidad State Junior College graduating with an Associate of Arts Degree in Secretarial Studies.  Karen worked as an executive secretary for Council of Governments in Trinidad until the birth of her first child.  She then chose to be a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Karen married Gary Neet on May 8, 1971, in a ceremony at the historic Zion's Lutheran Church in Trinidad. They were happily married for almost 48 years.  Over the years, Karen and Gary resided in Trinidad, Greeley, Colorado Springs, Buena Vista, Canon City and Pueblo West, Colorado.  Karen was a productive member of each of these communities, serving in civic clubs, providing child care, volunteering in school lunch programs and at school and community functions.  For many years, she was an officer in the Buena Vista Booster Club and, in Canon City, volunteered for years with the Chamber of Commerce.  She was always willing to donate her time, money and energy to worthy causes and to help someone in need. Karen enjoyed gardening, watching sports, reading and her many outings with her girlfriends to Cripple Creek, concerts, plays and scenic areas of the state. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her five grandsons.  She also loved to travel and was privileged to visit countries and islands on almost every continent and in almost every ocean and sea. She felt blessed to have been able to see the world, to immerse herself into other cultures and to meet so many diverse and wonderful people. Karen is survived by her husband, Gary, of Pueblo West; her sister, Lennie (Raymond) Pfaffenhauser of Walsenburg, Colorado; her daughters, Kelli (Greg) Kennedy of Colorado Springs and Lisa (Richard) Persons of Pueblo West;  her five grandchildren, Trevor, Ryan, Travis, Sean and Tristan;  numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many wonderful and dedicated friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Alice Hainlen, her brother Billy Hainlen, her first husband Pete Langoni and Pete's mother and father, Clara and Pete Langoni, who also served as grandparents to Kelli and Lisa. Karen did not want a traditional funeral service and chose to be cremated.  With respect for her wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held on February 9, 2019, at 11:00 am,  at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 2561 Vinewood Lane, Pueblo, Colorado.  A catered reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, we will honor Karen's love for children and animals and request memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital;  Shriners Hospital for Children; or Paws for Life animal shelter at 800 N. Pueblo Blvd, Pueblo, Colorado, 81003.