Karen Hunt

Hazelton- Karen K. Sparks Hunt, 72, of Hazelton and formerly of Bellevue, passed away peacefully Tuesday September 30, 2014, in Twin Falls.  She was born December 18, 1941, in Ogden, Utah, the daughter of Melvin Alonzo Fullmer and Afton Bair Atkinson Fullmer.  Karen was raised in Twin Falls and graduated from Twin Falls High School.  She married Clifford L. Sparks and they made their home in Twin Falls, where their three children were born.  In 1974, Cliff passed away unexpectedly.  In 1976 she married Aaron Hunt, who was also raising three young children. After a year in California and a job transfer, they settled in Bellevue.  Karen went to work for the Blaine County School District as a bus driver.  Driving the bus became her passion and she dedicated more than 30 years to it.  She drove for all of the extra activities including sports teams, debate, speech and music.  She genuinely loved her coworkers and all of the students she transported over the years.  Karen was a skilled knitter and seamstress and enjoyed teaching and sharing her skills with others.  She was also an excellent cook and loved to try new recipes.  Karen was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in a variety of callings, including primary pianist, which was her favorite.  She was very proud of her Pioneer heritage.

Karen was a "people person" and never knew a stranger.  Her quick wit and kind personality will be missed by all who knew her.

Karen is survived by her children; Dianne (Tom) Hanson and Susan (the late Ken) Hardy, all of Hazelton, and Chris (Kristin) Sparks of Boise; Aaron's children, Eric (Sofie) Hunt, Michelle Hunt and Janette Brown, all of California; her grandchildren, Katie, Chad and Jenny Hanson;  Makenna, Brittan and Henley Hardy;  Chevelle and Cordell Sparks;  and Jacob and Christina Brown.

She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Howard, her stepmother, Delores Fullmer and many extended family members and friends.  She is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and one son-in-law.

A visitation will be held Sunday evening, October 5, 2014, at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 South Lincoln, Jerome, where family and friends may call from 6-8 PM.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Monday October 6, 2014, in the Hazelton LDS 2nd Ward Chapel, 531 Middleton Avenue, Hazelton, Idaho, with Bishop Tim Callen officiating.  A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Twin Falls, Idaho.