Karen Louise Ikeda

1947 - 2021

Karen Louise Ikeda (Klunk) Karen passed away on January 2, 2021 in Hayward, California after contracting the COVID-19 virus. She was 73 years old. Karen was born on May 9, 1947 to Colonel Mark and Frances Klunk in El Paso, Texas. The daughter of a career Army officer, Karen traveled extensively with her family living in Texas, Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey, Cheverly, MD, Syracuse, NY, Linthicum, MD, Washington, PA, Honolulu, Hawaii, and San Rafael, CA. She attended schools at nearly all of these diverse locations, including Radford High School and the University of Hawaii in Hawaii. After a short time living in San Rafael, she returned to Hawaii, where she lived most of her life. Karen was married to Herb Ikeda, the love of her life. Herb preceded her in death in 1995. She worked various jobs, including as a telephone operator for the Honolulu International Airport. For many years it was Karen's voice you heard over the loudspeaker to "pick up the courtesy phone." She also ran her own accounting business in Honolulu. Karen enjoyed traveling with Herb, visiting Korea, Italy, and Austria, and attending several family gatherings in the East Coast. Karen became afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis in the late 1980's and was able to live with the disease until she needed special care. She returned to San Rafael in 2001 to be close to her family. She lived at the Pine Ridge Medical Care facility in San Rafael since July 2002. Although her MS progressed to the point where Karen was fully dependent on others for her care, she always maintained her dignity and kept a positive attitude while enjoying those parts of life that were possible for her. She enjoyed going out to the movies and attending family gatherings at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other special occasions. She also enjoyed her times out for lunch with her sister, brothers, and nieces and nephews at Joe's Café and dinner at San Rafael Joe's. Karen was academically and musically talented. She excelled in school and played piano, beginning at the young age of seven. By the time she was 17, she was an accomplished pianist and played many of the classics by the world's great composers. She enjoyed playing the piano, especially duets with her sister Claire. She was a kind and loving person who had many friends from a diverse background. She loved living in Hawaii and adopted the state as her home for many memorable years. Karen is survived by her sister Claire Spencer (Klunk); brothers Stephen, Michael, and Thomas; nephews Zack, Scott, and Marc; and nieces Celine and Stephanie. The family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Pine Ridge Care Center for caring for Karen over the years, and the doctors and especially the nurses at St. Rose Hospital, for their efforts during her time at the hospital. No memorial services are planned at this time due to the pandemic. Karen's ashes will be buried with her husband, Herb, in the National Cemetery at the Punch Bowl in Hawaii, according to her wishes. Donations in Karen's memory can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Marin Center for Independent Living.