Karen P. Hatch
Karen Frances Parker Hatch died January 22nd from head injuries suffered in a fall on the ice on January 14th. She was born on January 9, 1935 to Edna Maughan Parker and Fred Cooper Parker at home on the ranch near Hall, Montana, the 7th of eight children.
She attended the two room school in Hall, graduating from the 8th grade in 1948, and then attended Drummond High School, graduating in 1952. She received a B.S Degree in English education from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, in 1956, and taught high school English in Oakdale, California, and Ely, Nevada until 1960 when she returned to BYU to pursue an M.A. Degree in English which she received in 1962. She then taught English at BYU until 1968.
In the summer of 1964 she attended the University of London, in London, England, for a six week course in 20th Century English Literature, and received a certificate of completion in August 1964. While in London she attended a play at which Queen Elizabeth II was also present.
For the academic year 1967-68 she studied at UCLA at Los Angeles, California, and successfully completed a specialized course of post graduate studies in teaching English as a second language.
On September 13, 1968, Karen married Carl A. Hatch in the Logan Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and lived in Helena, Montana since then. For the next 30 years she focused on raising their six children, which she considered her most important work. Karen was an avid reader, and enjoyed traveling, opera, and classical and jazz music, but was always looking for an adventure whether it was riding in a hot air balloon in Albuquerque, on camels in China and Egypt, on elephants in Thailand and Myanmar, or snorkeling in the Caribbean at Cancun, Mexico, to celebrate her 80th birthday. However, she found homemaking, marriage and being a mother and grandmother the most fulfilling of all her life experiences. She loved her fifteen grandchildren and used her sewing skills to make each a unique blanket.
When her children were grown she worked for the Federal Government and the State of Montana in gathering labor and census information.
She and her husband taught English at Shandong Normal University in Jinan, China for the academic years 2003 and 2004. From 2006 – 2008 she and her husband were called by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve a humanitarian mission in the Thailand Bangkok Mission as country directors of LDS Charities in Myanmar, living in Yangon. During this mission she was involved in providing clean water to villages, education and medical institutions; in furnishing wheelchairs and prosthetics to the disabled; in having specialists from the United States, Japan, and other countries, train Myanmar doctors, nurses and other medical professionals neo-natal resuscitation; and in teaching English to governmental officials, young adults pursuing advanced education and hotel service employees.
Her devoted, lifelong membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided her opportunities to serve in many callings: teacher, choir director, Young Women’s President, Primary President and Relief Society President. Since October 2001 to the present she has served as an ordinance worker in the Billings Montana Temple. She followed the invitation of Moroni, the last of the Book of Mormon prophets, who wrote: “Come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him.”
Karen is survived by her husband, Carl, and their six children and fifteen grandchildren: Emily and James Lynn (Brendan, Connor, Ian and Erin) of Lethbridge, Alberta; Maureen Hatch of West Jordan, Utah; Jonathan and Tara Hatch (Caleb, Alyssa and Natalie) of Auburn, Washington; Jennifer and Christopher Childers (Ansel, Jonas, Owen and Sadie) of Richland, Washington; Lucy and Jay Johnson (Seth, Samuel, Henry and Daniel) of Durango, Colorado; and Sarah Hatch of West Jordan, Utah.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 29th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. They will also receive friends at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1260 Otter Road on Saturday, January 30th beginning at 9:00 a.m. with a funeral service to be held at 10:00 a.m. A funeral reception will follow in the cultural hall of the church. Interment and dedication of the grave will be in the Sheridan Cemetery at Sheridan, Montana at 3:00 p.m. Please visit aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Karen.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday January 29, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the service
Saturday January 30, 2016
Cultural Hall of the Church
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday January 29, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the service
Saturday January 30, 2016
Cultural Hall of the Church
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Margie DeGooyer Green (Phil Green) says
So sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. We have fond memories of her and Carl from several years. Phil has mentioned several times how nice it was to see them in the Billings Temple. Our thoughts are with the family at this time. You have been a true and faithful servant, Karen!
Vern Neilson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you for HIS peace and HIS comfort at this most difficult time.
Annette Higbee says
Dear Karl and family,
We are so saddened by Karen’s passing. We are grateful to have known your family and spent time with you while we lived in Helena. We pray that the comforter will be with you during the coming days and months to bring peace and cherished memories of Karen.
David & Annette Higbee
Lee Holmes says
This loss is so tragic and so unexpected. I marvel at the way your family is processing the entire situation. Even though we have great faith in what happens from here forward, the missing is still so acute. We have enjoyed years of association and watched your family grow and develop walking through each and every experience with grace a dignity. Thank you for the wonderful example you set for all of us. May Heavenly Father’s comforting spirit be with you in the comings days. A life well lived is a life to be celebrated. Karen was the example of such.
Lee and Avone Holmes
Cheryl Grey says
That Karen was one classy and amazing lady. I’m so grateful that she blessed my life on a regular basis. I will miss her. May you all continue to enjoy the sweetness of the gospel and the peace and comfort that comes with it knowing and understanding Heavenly Father’s plan.
Much love,
Cheryl Grey
flo Parmelee says
I cannot believe that Karen is on the other side of the veil. I so appreciated our friendship and association for the past 39 years. We served together in the 2nd Ward Primary Presidency many years ago. She was always concerned about me and my family. I will miss her. Especially her encouragement after Ron died. My heart goes out to you Carl and your family.
With love,
flo Parmelee
Jane Strong says
My heart is so sad. Aunt Karen was one of the most caring people I have ever met. She and Uncle Carl took me in during a time when I needed some help and let me stay with them. I will be forever grateful. It is not until we grow up and have families of our own that we realize this and I hope she knows how much I appreciated everything. Love you in heaven Aunt Karen. Tell my Dad hi from me.
Marilyn R Petersen says
My thoughts and prayers are with this great lady’s family. She was a classmate all those years ago and have watched her life over the years. What a wonderful full life she led always working and living a life of giving.
Cheri Clifford says
I got this recipe from Karen in 1985.
2 cups powdered sugar, 1 stick butter, 1 cup peanut butter. Mix well, form into balls and dip in chocolate.
I have made thousands of these peanut butter cups.
Well done thou good and faithful servant. Carl, you have been a wonderful husband and father.
Richard and Linda Lacey says
Karen Parker Hatch was my baby sitter, and with her sister Marie and brother Fred, family friends and acquaintances as role models as I grew up. Later, at BYU, she was my freshman English teacher. Her father, Fred Sr. was our Branch President at Drummond, father in law Ansel Hatch and brother Fred Parker both bishops. What wonderful families as examples!
Keith and Vikki Nay says
This earthly adventure changes so often and so quickly. God bless the wonderful Hatch Family. You are in our prayers and your names are on the prayer roll of many Temples.
Love,
Keith and Vikki Nay
Medford, OR
Dorothy and Mike McCarter says
To Carl and family, our deepest sympathies to you all, a wonderful, gentle and loving family.
Mike and Dorothy McCarter
Kevin L. Smith says
I remember the powerful and beautiful voices of the entire Hatch Family. Tho it has been many years since I have seen any of the Hatch family, the music still rings in my ears.
Meghan Kennedy says
The Rickenbach family sends their love, thoughts, and prayers. I have always been amazed at not only what an amazing family you are, but what great friends you all are as well. As a Mom, I hope I am able to build a family with such a strong foundation of love, just as Karen and Carl have done. I’m am so sorry for your loss and am thinking of each of you.
Meghan and Lloyd Rickenbach (and Clara and Amelia too!)
Penney Ostler Clark says
My thoughts are with the Hatch families. I am so sorry for your loss. My favorite memories are from when Karen and I worked for the same agency. Even though we weren’t in the same office, her warmth and caring uplifted our entire building. May your memories help sustain you at this difficult time.
Jane Clark says
I too am sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. She was beautiful and had such a loving warmth about her. I always could feel what a sweet spirit she had. My love and prayers to the family. May you feel her sweet spirit with you in the times to come, and may you always feel the comfort that our Heavenly Father has for all of you.
Love,
Jane and Wade Clark
Tina Wells says
So sorry for your loss my prayers and love go out to all of you. Love coz. Tina Wells
Joy and Vonda Nielsen says
Dear Carl and family,
Paul Nielsen our son sent us the sad news of Karen’s accident and death. I t has been several years since we have been in Helena when we have been able to get together Life seems to be getting so fragile as we have reached this eighty plus stage . We send our love and hope as time goes by your cherished memories will help bring you peace and keep Karen very close to you.
Our love Joy and Vonda Nielsen
I. LaVonMontelius says
Dear Carl and Family,
We send our condolences for the great loss of Karen. We have so may wonderful memories of you and Karen from our years in Helena. You were wonderful examples to my family. You were our Bishop and our friend. We always thought of Karen as independent, a good mother and always involved in church and community affairs. She sang at Sandi’s wedding reception and have so many other memories of your both. Our hearts reach out to you at this sad time, wishing you comfort and peace.
Love, LaVon Montelius (and Monty, Sandra, Shelley)