Karen Diane Hurst, 74, passed away on January 20, 2024, in Grand Junction, Colorado.
She was born in St. Paul, Indiana on December 8, 1949, to Donn and Marty Hurst.
She is survived by Dear Friend, Suzie Garner; Sister, Kathleen (Raymond) Morton of Greensburg, Indiana; niece, Jill (Bart) McFarling of Scottsdale, Arizona; Nephews, Brian Morton of St. Paul, Indiana and Barry (Jessi) Morton of Katy, Texas; two great nieces and two great nephews; many cousins and friends.
Karen graduated from North Decatur High School in 1968 and Ball State University in 1973. She was a speech and hearing specialist in Ripley County, Indiana for 15 years. Then she answered the call into ministry and attended Iliff School of Theology in Denver graduated in 1992 where she received a Master of Divinity. Ordained Deacon in 1991 and Elder in 1994 in the legacy Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church.
In the 21 years under full-time appointment, Karen served as Associate Pastor at Grace United Methodist Church, Denver; Senior Pastor of Walden United Methodist, Yuma United Methodist, and finally, a move to Crossroads United Methodist Church in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Karen retired full time ministry in 2013, but her call to do God’s work was not complete and she served four more churches: Friendship United Methodist Church in Craig, Colorado; Delta United Methodist Church in Delta, Colorado; Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and
Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church in Cedaredge, Colorado. Her favorite responsibilities as a pastor were performing baptisms and Christmas Eve Services.
Karen enjoyed reading and games. She loved to travel with Suzie particularly to Yellowstone National Park and overseas to Italy, France, England, Scotland, Ireland and Kenya.
Memorial services will be 2:00 pm on Monday, March 18, 2024 at Union Chapel United Methodist Church, 4647 N. County Road 700 W., St. Paul, with Barry Morton officiating. Friends may call on Monday from
12:00 noon until the time of the service, at the church. Burial will be in Union Chapel Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial tributes be directed to either Crossroads United Methodist Church at 599 30 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504 or the Clifton Christian Church Food Bank at 3241 F 1/4 Road, Clifton, CO 81520.
