Karen Hesselgesser

Karen Irene Hesselgesser 1939 - 2011 Karen Irene Hesselgesser died on Saturday March 5, 2011 at Good Samaritan Boise Village in Boise Idaho. Karen was born in Grand Junction, Colorado on September 15, 1939, the oldest of 4 girls and 1 boy. Karen moved with her mother and father, Mary and Niti Romeri to Anchorage, Alaska where she grew to love the outdoors. With her father Niti she hunted big game in Alaska and legend has it that she was a crack shot. It was in Alaska that her love of the outdoors began. Camping and fishing with family and friends became a lifelong passion for Karen. In 1957 Karen graduated from Anchorage High School in Anchorage, Alaska. She followed her family to Richland, Washington where she married and had two children, David and Lori Frazier. The tragic death of her teenage daughter Lori was deeply painful for Karen, but the love for her son and pride in his achievements helped sustain Karen. Karen moved from Richland, Washington to Pendleton, Oregon and eventually settled in Boise, Idaho. It was in Boise, Idaho in 1982 where she met and later married the love of her life Terry Hesselgesser. It was a match made in heaven. Karen and Terry recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Karen worked through most of her life as a successful bartender, but she found her calling later in life in floral design, where to everyone's surprise, including Karen's, an artist was born. Karen continued working in this profession until her recent illness. To say that Karen had a gregarious personality would be an understatement. People were drawn to her saucy stories, animated personality, and easy laugh. Family and friends were always present in Karen's life. Her love of family and friends was always evident, even in the most difficult of times. She was a loyal friend with a heart of gold. In her last years, she was very grateful for the support of her family and friends. Karen is survived by her husband Terry Hesselgesser, son David Frazier, daughter-in-law Amy Frazier, granddaughters Rachael and Hope Frazier, brother Michael Romeri, sister Tina Craig, nephews Darrin Myrick, Vaughn Paladin and Shane Paladin, many more nieces and nephews, and an army of friends. A viewing will be held at Summers Funeral Home, 1205 West Bannock Street, Boise, Idaho at 2:00 PM Saturday March 12th, with a ceremony to follow at 4:00 PM.